Bayelsa Deputy Governor slumps, dies at 60, PDP mourns passing
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has been confirmed dead after he suddenly collapsed at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa on Thursday.
Sources say he was immediately conveyed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa, the state capital, where a cardiologist at FMC declared him dead on arrival, and his remains transported to an undisclosed mortuary in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“He suffered a cardiac arrest in his office at the Government House and was rushed to the FMC. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead on arrival,” a source who chose anonymity said.
In a statement by the Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said it received the news “with deep shock”, describing the late Ewhrudjakpo as “a trusted, faithful party man”.
“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, are in profound grief,” the statement read.
The statement added that the late Deputy Governor 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”.
Born on September 5 1965, the late Ewhrudjakpo served as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State under Governor Douye Diri from 2020 until his death.
Prior to that, he represented Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly from 2019 to 2020.
The late Deputy Governor would be remembered for his integrity and principled leadership as many have described him.
