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Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, died on Thursday after collapsing in his office in Yenagoa.
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He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, where doctors battled unsuccessfully to revive him.
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PDP and top political leaders have mourned him, while the Bayelsa State Government is yet to issue an official statement.
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has died at the age of 60 after collapsing in his office in Yenagoa on Thursday afternoon.
Ewhrudjakpo was said to have slumped around 1:30 p.m. and was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he was placed in the Intensive Care Unit. Medical personnel made efforts to revive him but were unsuccessful.
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Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State confirmed the incident in a statement late Thursday, describing the news as a “profound shock.” Abiodun, who is also the chairperson of the Southern Governors’ Forum, said the deputy governor died at the FMC where he was taken after collapsing.
“We submit to the will of the Almighty God, who has chosen to call him home at this time,” the governor said, consoling the Bayelsa State Government, the deceased’s family, and the people of the state.
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also confirmed the passing of Ewhrudjakpo, describing his death as “devastating and inexplicable.” National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ini Ememobong, said the news had thrown the PDP nationwide into deep grief.
The party praised Ewhrudjakpo for his loyalty and political integrity, noting that he remained with the PDP even after Governor Douye Diri defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month— a development that sparked political speculation in the state.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of this hero of political integrity, and we pray that God grants his soul eternal rest,” Ememobong said.
As of Thursday night, the Bayelsa State Government had not issued an official statement on the death. Attempts to reach the Commissioner for Information, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, were unsuccessful.
Until his death, Ewhrudjakpo served as deputy governor from 2020 and was a former senator representing Bayelsa West.
