The Bayelsa State Government has declared an official three-day period of mourning following the sudden death of Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. The mourning period, which mandates flags to be flown at half-mast, begins on Friday, December 12, 2025. This formal announcement, made by the State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, comes approximately 24 hours after the deputy governor’s passing, a delay that allowed for official notifications to the family and stabilization of the state’s administrative machinery.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, 60, collapsed on Thursday while preparing to attend a scheduled meeting within his office complex at Creek Haven, the state’s seat of power. He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa, where he was later pronounced dead. His demise sent waves of palpable tension through the government quarters, underscoring his integral role in the state’s administration.
In an official statement, Governor Douye Diri expressed profound grief, describing the loss as “not just painful” but “a great loss to the Government, people of Bayelsa State and the nation.” The governor extended heartfelt condolences to Ewhrudjakpo’s wife, Barr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, their children, and the wider Ewhrudjakpo family, as well as to the Ofoni Federated Community and former Governor Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
The late deputy governor was a seasoned and accomplished public servant whose career was deeply woven into the fabric of Bayelsa’s development. His portfolio included serving as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, a role critical for state development projects, and representing the Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate before becoming Deputy Governor in 2020. He was serving his second term in the deputy governor’s office at the time of his death.
Ewhrudjakpo’s passing also brings to light notable political dimensions of his service. He was known as a staunch and dependable ally of former Governor Seriake Dickson. In a significant political stance, Ewhrudjakpo notably declined to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) when his current boss, Governor Douye Diri, along with most state assembly lawmakers, made the switch. This decision highlighted his independent political alignment and loyalty to his political camp, setting him apart from the trio of assembly members—Dr. Godbless Oyinke, Ted Elemefuro, and Wisdom Fafi—who also remained.
The three-day state mourning is a traditional protocol that allows for official reflection, halts regular government ceremonial activities, and provides a unified period for the people of Bayelsa to grieve a significant figure. Governor Diri has called for prayers for God’s comfort and strength for the bereaved family and the entire state as it navigates this sudden leadership vacuum and loss.
Edited by Nathan Nwakamma and Benson Iziama.
About the Author
