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 Okrika 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 Okrika, 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 Okrika. 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 Okrika 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.