PDP confirms death of Bayelsa deputy governor

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.”

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.”

His political career

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, a lawyer by profession, served as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under the administration of the immediate past governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, from 2012 to 2018.

He resigned in 2018 to contest the PDP primary for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

One of his notable achievements as Commissioner was overseeing the construction of the Bayelsa International Airport, a landmark project executed despite a challenging economic climate marked by national recession.

In the 2019 General Elections, Ewhrudjakpo was declared the winner of the Bayelsa West Senatorial District by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeating APC’s Mathew Karimo with 49,912 votes to 20, 219.

Later that year, Governor Douye Diri selected him as running mate for the off-cycle governorship election.

Following the Supreme Court’s nullification of Chief David Lyon’s victory over his running mate’s alleged falsification of educational credentials, Ewhrudjakpo was declared Deputy Governor and sworn in alongside Diri on February 14, 2020.

During the Diri administration, he played a critical role in resolving inter- and intra-communal disputes, contributing to the stabilisation of local communities and the security of vital national assets, including oil pipelines.

He also chaired the Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform, which coordinates coastal states on maritime laws and the implementation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act to combat piracy and maritime crimes. Impeachment saga.

After Governor Diri defected to the APC in October 2025, Ewhrudjakpo remained in the PDP, straining their long-standing working relationship.

He approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to halt a planned impeachment by the state House of Assembly.

The court ordered a suspension of any further impeachment action pending the determination of the motion filed.

Justice Emeka Nwite also ordered the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and five others to appear in court and show cause why they should not be restrained from taking any action to impeach Ewhrudjakpo over alleged misconduct related to his refusal to defect to another political party.

Governor Douye Diri had assured him that he would not force him to join the APC but would continue to engage in dialogue on the importance of both leaders being on the same political platform.

At the state executive council meeting recently, Diri said, “Regarding speculations in the media, I do not intend to force anyone to join the APC but rather appeal to them to reason with me. I may have power today, but not tomorrow.

“It is challenging for the governor and deputy to be on opposing sides, but dialogue continues, and we may align in the same party in the future.

“We must not inflame the polity. Violence in Bayelsa State is over. We are brothers and one people. Politics should drive development, not conflict.”

Passionate about education, Ewhrudjakpo consistently found time to lecture law students at Niger Delta University on a pro bono basis.

A lawyer by profession, he openly cherished the classroom, once stating in an interview that after his tenure in public office, he intended to return to teaching and shaping future leaders.

2027 governorship ambition

The late Ewhrudjakpo, a close political ally of former Governor Seriake Dickson, was widely rumoured to harbour ambitions for the 2027 Bayelsa State governorship election.

Reports suggested he enjoyed strong backing from his political mentor, Senator Dickson, to contest and succeed Governor Diri.

Both Ewhrudjakpo and Dickson hailed from the same Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

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