Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of his Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, cutting short an official trip abroad to console the bereaved family.
In a heartfelt visit to the official residence of the late deputy at Government House in Yenagoa, Governor Diri led a high-level delegation on Friday evening to offer condolences to the widow, Mrs. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, and other family members.
The governor was accompanied by his wife, Gloria Diri, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), and other top government officials.
During the visit, Governor Diri shared words of comfort, assuring the family of the state government’s unwavering support during this difficult period. He reflected on his long-standing relationship with the late Ewhrudjakpo, which began under the previous administration led by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. Diri highlighted their shared struggles leading up to the 2020 Supreme Court ruling that installed them in office, describing the deceased as a “resourceful partner” deeply committed to Bayelsa’s development.
“Over our almost six years in office, he proved to be a dedicated ally in our collective vision for the state,” Diri said, noting that Ewhrudjakpo’s contributions would be greatly missed. While acknowledging the profound sadness of the loss, the governor urged the family to find solace in faith, emphasizing that the government would collaborate closely with them on burial arrangements to honor the departed leader.
The governor extended condolences on behalf of his family and the Bayelsa State government to the widow, children, the people of Ofoni Federated community, Senator Dickson, and all residents of the state, calling the incident an “irreparable loss.”
The visit underscores the close-knit political ties within Bayelsa’s leadership and comes amid widespread mourning across the state following the deputy governor’s untimely passing.
The post in full reads:
Following the sad news of the demise of my dear Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, I had to cut short my official trip outside the state to attend to the incident.
Last night, I led a delegation of top government officials to visit Her Excellency, Mrs. Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, the widow, and other family members at their official residence at the Government House, Yenagoa.
Accompanied by my wife, Gloria, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), and others, I shared with everyone present the word of comfort and gave assurances from the Government that, we will stand with the family at this time.
I reminded the wife and the family of my close relationship with the late Deputy Governor since our paths crossed under the immediate past administration and particularly, our time together in the trenches before the Supreme Court declaration that brought us to office in 2020.
In our almost six years in office, I saw in him a very resourceful partner who is committed to our collective aspiration for the development of our dear state. He will be greatly missed.
Indeed, I am saddened by this unfortunate incident but we must take solace in God that He allowed this to happen. Our government will interface with the family on the burial programmes to honour our departed faithful.
Once again, on behalf of my family, and the Government of Bayelsa State, I extend my deepest condolences to the wife, children, immediate family, the people of Ofoni Federated community, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and the people of the state for this irreparable loss.
May God comfort us all.
~ SDD
