Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has opened up about his ordeal as a victim of blackmail and allegations of election-related ritual killings in the lead-up to the November 2023 governorship election.
Speaking at a reception hosted in Akenfa-Yenagoa, Ewhrudjakpo expressed gratitude for being spared a ghastly motor accident that could have claimed lives. The event followed a special thanksgiving service at the Refined Peoples Assembly.
Ewhrudjakpo’s comments come in light of an incident last year where five members of the PYC were involved in an accident while traveling to Ekeremor for a campaign event organized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The deputy governor viewed the survival of all involved as a significant personal victory, asserting that it validated his innocence and exposed the malice of his political opponents.
“In the aftermath of the accident, there were numerous vile blackmails and unfounded rumours about election-related ritual killings directed at me, especially since it occurred in my native Ofoni Community in Sagbama Local Government Area,” he stated.
Ewhrudjakpo continued, “I’m happy today because we did not lose any person in our camp. Even those whom the other camp claimed had died and were used for rituals by this Ofoni man are all alive here with us. I’m grateful because God did not allow my enemies to triumph over me in that election. What they wished should happen to us, happened in their camp.”