''I Escaped Death by the Whiskers'' – Bayelsa PDP Women Crash Survivor Tells her Story

''I Escaped Death by the Whiskers'' – Bayelsa PDP Women Crash Survivor Tells her Story

One of the survivors of last week’s tragedy and close associate of the first lady, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, has recounted her last moment with the 11 Bayelsa female politicians.

Marie Ebikake, who was last month sacked by Governor Seriake Dickson as the Transport commissioner due to her close relationship with the first lady, arrived the Okhirika community home of Jonathan in a separate vehicle due to her husband’s ill health.

Ebikake, who was still in shock over the sad event, said she was with the female politicians in Okhirika, the country home of Dame Patience Jonathan and they were in very high spirits.

 “On Wednesday I spoke with the First Lady,Dame Pateince Jonathan and she said she
was in Okhirika.I told her that I may not be able to come due to the ill-health of my spouse. She expressed concern and said I should come so that we could discuss ways to get better medical attention for him. 

When I arrived at Okhirika on Thursday, I saw the women and they welcomed me happily. We hailed each other as usual and we were all happy”, she narrated in an emotion-laden voice.

The women, after the brief meeting with the first lady, were supposed to go back on Friday. Unknowingly to the First Lady, they had waited to see her off at the Port Harcourt Airport before heading to Bayelsa.

When the First Lady met them at the Airport, she was surprised that they were still around.” The women, who were in a jolly mood, replied the First Lady that they had wanted to make sure that “Mommy” leaves for Abuja before they return to Yenagoa.

''That was the last we saw of them.” Mrs. Marie Ebikake says.

According to the preliminary report from the men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) issued by the commander in the state, Vincent Jack, 29 passengers in three separate vehicles were involved in the accident. 18 persons were reported injured and 11 others burnt beyond recognition.

The FRSC attributed the cause of the accident to a ruptured tyre.