The deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday confirmed the death of the Bayelsa State deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The party confirmed Ewhrudjakpo’s demise in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.
Ewhrudjakpo had reportedly collapsed on Thursday at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon.
Born on September 5, 1965, in Ofoni community, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Ewhrudjakpo was 60 years old at the time of his death.
Although the exact cause of his collapse remains unknown, sources said Ewhrudjakpo slumped unexpectedly while attending to official duties, prompting an immediate response from his aides and security personnel.
Sources close to the late deputy governor suggested that his death might have resulted from cardiac arrest.
The situation created uneasy calm in Government House and across Yenagoa, as residents expressed concern over the man they fondly called the “Workaholic Deputy Governor.”
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They noted that he often worked late into the night without rest.
As of the time of filing this report last night, the Bayelsa State Government had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Both the deputy governor’s media aide, Doubra Atazi, and the state’s Commissioner for Information, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, declined to comment when contacted.
In its statement, the PDP expressed shock over the deputy governor’s demise, describing him as “a trusted, faithful party man.”
The statement reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received with deep shock the news of the passing of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and a trusted, faithful party man, His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly collapsed and died earlier today.
“This devastating news has left the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and indeed the entire membership of our great party, especially our faithful members in Bayelsa State, in profound grief.
“While alive, Senator Ewhrudjakpo was an honest and consistent politician who believed in and practised politics with principle. He was a person of conviction, not convenience; a leader whose life was anchored on belief, integrity, and strength of character. He held firmly to these virtues until his final moments.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of this hero of political integrity, and we pray that God grants his soul eternal rest. We express our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Bayelsa State on this painful and irreparable loss.”
