Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, passed away on Thursday after collapsing in his office in Yenagoa. According to officials, he slumped at about 1:30 p.m. while descending a staircase shortly after a meeting and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
Medical personnel said he arrived unconscious and was taken first to the Emergency Unit, then to the Intensive Care Unit, where all efforts to stabilize him were unsuccessful. His media aide, Doubara Atasi, confirmed the incident but withheld further information as the government worked to manage the situation.
As news spread, a crowd of sympathizers gathered at the medical facility, prompting security officials to increase control around the premises. Ewhrudjakpo, born on September 5, 1965, had served as deputy governor since 2020. Before then, he represented Bayelsa West in the Senate and was Commissioner for Works during the Seriake Dickson administration.
The Peoples Democratic Party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, confirmed his passing and described it as deeply distressing. Ewhrudjakpo was known for his loyalty to the PDP and had recently declined to follow Governor Douye Diri in defecting to the All Progressives Congress.
His refusal to leave the PDP reportedly strained his relationship with Governor Diri, leading to political tension and an attempted impeachment by the state House of Assembly. Ewhrudjakpo challenged the move in court, and on October 27, the Federal High Court in Abuja halted the impeachment process.
His death has drawn widespread reactions, with political allies, party leaders, and residents of Bayelsa State expressing shock and grief over the sudden loss of a prominent public servant.
