“He was carrying out his duties,” Bayelsa govt speaks on how dep. gov. Ewhrudjakpo died

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Bayelsa Government has confirmed that the state deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was active and proceeding to a scheduled meeting within his office when he slumped and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where later died on Thursday.

The Bayelsa State Government said this while formally announcing the death of the deputy governor and declaring a three-day state mourning in his honour on Friday.

The state government, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai described the death of Ewhrudjakpo as one that came with “deep regret and profound shock”.

The statement further indicated that Governor Douye Diri had declared a three-day state mourning, effective from Friday for the late Ewhrudjakpo.

The Governor directed that all flags be flown at half-mast during the mourning for his deputy.

“The Bayelsa State Government announces with deep regret and profound shock the sudden passing of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Ph.D, on Thursday, 11th December 2025, at the age of 60.

“The Deputy Governor was active and carrying out official duties earlier in the day. He collapsed while proceeding to a scheduled meeting within his office and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead,” the statement read.

“Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, has declared a State Mourning for 3 working days in honour of the late Deputy Governor beginning from today, Friday, December 12, 2025. All flags are to fly at half-mast. His demise is not just painful; it is a great loss to the Government and people of Bayelsa State and the nation,” the government said.

The statement further indicated that Diri extended condolences to the deputy governor’s wife, Beatrice, their children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, Ofoni Federated Community, Henry Seriake Dickson, and the citizens of the state.

The Governor prayed for God’s comfort and strength “for the family and the entire State”.

Recall that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Thursday night confirmed Ewhrudjakpo’s death, in a statement signed by Ini Ememobong, the spokesperson of the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee faction of the party.

The party said the death of Ewhrudjakpo was devastating news and has left the National Working Committee and indeed the entire membership of our great party, especially our faithful members in Bayelsa State, in profound grief,” it said.

PDP declared the late Deputy Governor as “a principled and consistent politician.

“He was a person of conviction, not convenience; a leader whose life was anchored on belief, integrity and strength of character.”

The PDP offered condolences to the government and people of Bayelsa State and prayed for his soul’s peaceful rest.

Ewhrudjakpo was a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Bayelsa State.

He resigned as Senator representing for Bayelsa West in 2020 to contest for to contest for governorship as running mate to Diri.

He had resisted pressure to join his boss to abandon PDP for APC before his death.