Bayelsa State has been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The state government has declared a three-day period of official mourning in his honor.
Ewhrudjakpo, 60, reportedly collapsed while heading to a scheduled meeting in his office.
He was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later pronounced dead.
In a statement, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, described the death as “a profound shock and a great loss to the government and people of Bayelsa State.”
Governor Douye Diri, reacting to the news, said, “The demise of Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo is not just painful; it is a tremendous loss to our administration and the entire state. We pray for comfort and strength for his family and for all citizens of Bayelsa during this difficult time.”
He directed that all state flags be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.
The Peoples Democratic Party also expressed grief over Ewhrudjakpo’s passing. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the party described him as “a principled and consistent politician, a leader whose life was anchored on integrity, conviction, and strength of character.”
Ewhrudjakpo had served as Bayelsa State Deputy Governor since 2020, after being elected as Governor Diri’s running mate in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. Prior to this, he represented Bayelsa West as a Senator from 2019 to 2020 and also held the position of Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, overseeing major projects including the Bayelsa International Airport.
A distinguished academic, Ewhrudjakpo earned a Diploma in Community Health, a B.Sc. in Secretarial Administration, an MBA, an LL.B., and a PhD in Human Rights and Labour Law.
His death comes amid political tensions in Bayelsa State, as he had recently sought court intervention to prevent the Bayelsa House of Assembly from pursuing an impeachment motion against him for remaining in the PDP after Governor Diri defected to the APC in October.
Governor Diri had previously affirmed, “I will not compel my deputy to join the ruling party,” underscoring their amicable professional relationship despite political differences.
Ewhrudjakpo is survived by his wife, Beatrice, their children, and the extended Ewhrudjakpo family.
