Bayelsa State has been plunged into mourning after the sudden death of its 60-year-old deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who collapsed in his office on Thursday, and later passed away at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, confirmed the deputy governor’s death, describing it as a profound shock and a significant loss to both the state and the nation.
Mrs Koku-Obiyai noted that Senator Ewhrudjakpo had been actively carrying out his official duties before collapsing while proceeding to a scheduled meeting in his office.
Governor Douye Diri immediately declared a three-day period of state mourning in honour of the late deputy governor, ordering that all flags across the state fly at half-mast.
“His demise is not just painful; it represents a great loss to the government, the people of Bayelsa State, and the nation at large,” the governor stated.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the Ewhrudjakpo’s family, including his wife, Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, their children, and the wider Ewhrudjakpo family, as well as to the Ofoni Federated Community and former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.
The governor prayed for divine comfort and strength for the bereaved family and all citizens of Bayelsa.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also expressed deep sorrow over the loss. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party described Ewhrudjakpo as a principled and steadfast politician.
“He was a person of conviction, not convenience, whose life and leadership were anchored in integrity, dedication, and service to the people,” the PDP statement read.
The party prayed for his soul to rest in peace and offered condolences to the state government and citizens of Bayelsa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo had a distinguished career in public service, holding multiple key positions prior to becoming deputy governor. He served as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure. He later represented Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the Senate before being elected as deputy governor alongside Governor Douye Diri in 2019 and subsequently re-elected in 2023.
An accomplished academic, Ewhrudjakpo earned a diploma in Community Health, a BSc in Secretarial Administration, an MBA, an LLB, and a PhD in Human Rights and Labour Law.
His death occurs amid a tense political climate in Bayelsa State. In recent months, Ewhrudjakpo had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to restrain the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from pursuing impeachment proceedings against him. This followed the defection of Governor Diri to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October 2025, while Ewhrudjakpo chose to remain in the PDP.
Governor Diri had previously stated that he would not force his deputy to switch parties, highlighting the political sensitivity surrounding his office.
