Bayelsa State was Thursday, December 11 thrown into mourning when news broke that Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo had died after slumping in his office.
Earlier on Thursday, Ewhrudjakpo collapsed and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, where he was said to be in a critical condition.
Hours later, the Peoples Democratic Party, on whose platform he was elected, announced his passing. In a statement, PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong said the party received “with deep shock” the news of his death.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received with deep shock the news of the passing of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and a trusted, faithful party man, His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly collapsed and died earlier today,” the statement reads.
“This devastating news has left 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, in profound grief.
“While alive, Senator Ewhrudjakpo 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.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of this hero of political integrity, and we pray that God grants his soul eternal rest.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Bayelsa State on this painful and irreparable loss.”
Despite Bayelsa State Governor Duoyo Diri recently decamping to join the All Progressives Congress on November 4, Ewhrudjakpo remained in the opposition PDP.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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