The legendary Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has once again dismissed rumours of his death, expressing frustration over what he described as a recurring hoax that has trailed him for years.
According to the veteran actor, also known as Ebubedike, he has been wrongfully declared dead roughly seven times. He called the repeated reports “mischievous” and “baseless”. The veteran actor, popularly known as Ebubedike, said he has been falsely declared dead about seven times, describing the repeated reports as baseless and mischievous.
In a phone interview with Vanguard on Tuesday, Edochie vehemently denied the most recent rumours, stating that he is still alive and well.
He declared, “I’m alive and will die when my maker calls me home.”
The 78-year-old actor recalled multiple occasions when false reports of his death, such as that he passed away overseas or in an aircraft accident, went viral.
I’ve probably been killed seven times. They once claimed that I travelled overseas and passed away there. At other times, they claimed that I didn’t survive the sudden crash of the plane I boarded on my way from Enugu to Ethiopia,” he said.
He also described an unsettling event that happened to his wife.
On another occasion, my wife was getting ready for church when her phone rang, and the caller informed her that he had learned of my death that morning. Someone from Ghana claimed that Pete Edochie was already dead last year,” he continued.
He once interviewed the late nationalist Nnamdi Azikiwe, who Edochie disclosed provided him with a lesson that inspired him.
But when I interviewed the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, he taught me something. According to him, those who wish you dead will pass away before you do.
“Everyone who wanted Zik dead passed away before him. That’s what Zik taught me,” he said.
The well-known actor, who will turn 79 on March 7, expressed gratitude for his continued good health and credited his longevity to his family.
My 79th birthday is March 7. We have longevity in my family because my father passed away at the age of 96,” he said.
One of the most respected people in Nollywood, Edochie has received the AMVCA Industry Merit Award and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Fans throughout Nigeria and beyond continue to adore the screen icon despite numerous death hoaxes that date back to 2012.
