Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Ewhrudjakpo Dies At 60

-Death Pinned On Cardiac Arrest

-Abiodun Mourns

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has died of cardiac arrest.

He was 60.

It was gathered that Ewhrudjakpo slumped in his office in the afternoon and was conveyed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa, the state capital.

A source, an Ijaw leader, who spoke in confidence, told our reporter that a cardiologist at FMC declared him dead on arrival.

The source said: “He suffered a cardiac arrest in his office at the Government House and was rushed to the FMC. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead on arrival.”

The source also said the remains of Ewrujakpor were immediately transported to an undisclosed mortuary in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

It was gathered that the death of the deputy governor, a close political ally of former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, and a strong politician in the state, shocked many stakeholders.

Ewhrudjakpo was first appointed by Dickson as his Commissioner for Works, a position he occupied for eight years and won the admiration of stakeholders because of his knowledge of construction and engineering despite his background as a lawyer.

Against all odds, Dickson made Ewrujakpor, who hailed from his Sagbama Local Government Area, a deputy governor despite the opposition against his candidacy.

The kate deputy governor, who was born on September 5, 1965, refused to join his principal, Governor Douye Diri, when he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), preferring to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His shocking death happened amid speculations that he was on his way out of the PDP for an unnamed political party.

Also, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), Prince Dapo Abiodun, has mourned Ewhrudjakpo’s passing.

In a statement in Abeokuta, Abiodun said he received news of Ewhrudjakpor’s death with shock.

He said the incident was particularly painful as the deceased was in his office attending to his duties when the incident happened.

The Ogun State governor noted that the late deputy governor apparently defied illness to serve the people of Bayelsa State.

Commiserating with Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and the Government and people of Bayelsa State, Governor Abiodun urged them to take solace in the life of service that the deceased lived.

He said: “I received news of the demise of the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, with deep sorrow.

“The incident came as a profound shock to all of us, but we submit to the will of the Almighty God, who has chosen to call him home at this time.

“I know how painful and devastating that this development is for my brother, His Excellency, Governor Duoye Diri, who has lost a dependable ally. I also deeply commiserate with the family and friends of the deceased.

“It is my sincere prayer that the Almighty God will be with them and give them the strength to survive this hour of pain and sorrow.

“No doubt, Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole have lost a gem, but we shall take comfort in the knowledge that he lived a life of service to humanity and made profound change in the lives of people. May his gentle soul rest in sweet repose.”