By Roland Edwards
The Bayelsa State Government has declared three days mourning for the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, beginning from Friday.
The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. (Mrs.) Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, in a statement in Yenagoa on Friday, said that during the three working days mourning, all flags will fly at half mast.
Bayelsa State government officially announced the sudden death of the Deputy Governor, about 24 hours after his demise.
The Deputy Governor who was serving his second term, died last Thursday, at the age of 60.He reportedly collapsed while proceeding to a scheduled meeting within his office and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead.
There was palpable tension in Creek Haven, the Bayelsa seat of power on Thursday after Ewhrudjakpo, collapsed and was rushed to the FMC, Yenagoa.
The statement reads: “His demise is not just painful, it is a great loss to the Government, people of Bayelsa State and the nation.
“Ewhrudjakpo was an accomplished public servant who served the State with distinction as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and Deputy Governor since 2020.
“Governor Douye Diri, on behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa State, expresses heartfelt condolences to his wife, Her Excellency, Barr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo.
“Their children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, Ofoni Federated Community, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and all citizens of the state.
“Consequently, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, has declared a State Mourning for three working days in honour of the late Deputy Governor beginning from today, Friday, December 12, 2025. All flags are to fly at half-mast,”.
The governor further prayed God to comfort and strengthen his family and the entire Bayelsa.Ewhrudjakpo, a very strong dependable ally of former Governor Seriake Dickson declined to defect to the APC with his current boss, Senator Douye Diri.It would also be recalled that Diri defected to the APC with all the lawmakers in the House of Assembly except the trio of Dr God bless Oyinke, Ted Elemefuro and Wisdom Fafi.
