Bayelsa Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo dies after sudden collapse in office
Bayelsa Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo dies after sudden collapse in office
Bayelsa State has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly collapsed and died in his office on Thursday morning.
Sources said Ewhrudjakpo had worked late into Wednesday, hosting a meeting during which UNICEF commended Governor Douye Diri for his commitment to primary healthcare.
He was also present at an early-morning meeting on Thursday with community leaders and stakeholders involved in pipeline surveillance.
The session was described as tense, and Ewhrudjakpo was said to have stepped out of the conference room shortly after. He reportedly collapsed while climbing the stairs.
His aides and senior government officials rushed him to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where doctors confirmed his death.
The development has brought government operations in the state to a halt, as officials maintain silence over the incident.
Governor Diri, who is currently outside the country, has been briefed and is said to be returning immediately.
Ewhrudjakpo, 60, was elected deputy governor alongside Diri in February 2020.
He previously served as a senator representing Bayelsa West and, before that, as Commissioner for Works under former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.
He hailed from Ofoni in Sagbama Local Government Area.
