Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Oboraw-Harievwo Ewhrudjakpo, has died, the Peoples Democratic Party announced on Thursday, confirming earlier reports of a medical emergency involving the senior government official.
On Thursday, tension rose across the state after news filtered out that the deputy governor had collapsed.
Hours later, the PDP, through a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, confirmed his passing, describing it as “deeply shocking.”
The party said the death has “thrown the National Working Committee and the entire PDP family, especially in Bayelsa, into profound grief,” adding that Ewhrudjakpo was a steadfast and loyal party man.
“Senator Ewhrudjakpo was an honest and consistent politician who practiced politics with principle. He was a person of conviction, not convenience,” the PDP said.
“We pray that God grants his soul eternal rest and comfort the government and people of Bayelsa State over this painful and irreparable loss.”
As of Thursday night, the Bayelsa State government had not issued an official statement on the incident.
Ewhrudjakpo served as deputy governor under Governor Douye Diri beginning in 2020, following their victory in the 2019 governorship election. The duo were re-elected in 2023.
His death comes amid political tensions in the state. In October, Governor Diri defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC)—a move Ewhrudjakpo declined to follow. Diri later stated he would not force his deputy to join the ruling party, saying he preferred to “keep engaging him.”
Before his passing, Ewhrudjakpo had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop an alleged impeachment move by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly over his refusal to leave the PDP.
Ewhrudjakpo, a former senator, was widely regarded as a calm but firm administrator. His loss, the PDP said, has created a void in the party and in Bayelsa’s political landscape.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of this hero of political integrity,” the statement added.
He served as deputy governor until his death on Thursday.
