Bayelsa State was thrown into grief on Thursday, December 11, after Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo died only hours after collapsing in his office in Yenagoa.
The deputy governor was said to have slumped earlier in the day and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. Hospital sources confirmed he arrived in critical condition, and frantic efforts were made to stabilise him. He was later pronounced dead.
The Peoples Democratic Party, under whose platform he was elected, announced his passing on Thursday evening. PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong said the party received the news “with deep shock.”
In the statement, he said, “The Peoples Democratic Party 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.”
He added that the development had left the party’s national leadership and members in sorrow. He said, “This devastating news has left the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and indeed the entire membership of our great party, especially our faithful members in Bayelsa State, in profound grief.”
The statement described the late deputy governor as a politician known for discipline and firm beliefs. Ememobong said, “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.”
He added, “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.”
Ewhrudjakpo remained a committed member of the PDP despite Governor Douye Diri’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress on November 4.
His death has left many residents, political leaders, and supporters in shock, as Bayelsa continues to mourn the sudden loss.
