Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, said he has directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of the death of Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the state’s deputy governor.
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The governor spoke on Saturday while hosting former President Goodluck Jonathan at the state’s government house in Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo died on Thursday after collapsing in office. The late deputy governor was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Diri condemned “a lot of nonsense going on on social media” surrounding the passing of Ewhrudjakpo, warning that his death should not be politicised.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the death of our dearly beloved deputy governor. If anyone loves him, this is the time to show it,” the governor said.
“I have directed that an autopsy be done to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.
“If anybody is issuing any statement to eulogise him, please end at that and mourn him because the state is in a mourning mood. That is why we have declared three working days of mourning, and we expect everyone in the state to do what the former president has done today.
“Let us love one another to the point of death because all of us will answer this call one day.”
Speaking during the visit, Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as someone he will never forget.
The former president said Ewhrudjakpo worked harder in the role than him when he was the deputy governor of the state.
“For me, he was somebody my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programmes,” Jonathan said.
“This year in Accra, Ghana, he did the same. On November 20 this year, he also mobilised assembly members and commissioners to Abuja to celebrate the 10th year of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation.
“Whenever I am having a programme, Bayelsa State is always represented. It is quite a sad moment for all of us.
“I was also a deputy governor, but he worked harder than me. He appeared not to rest. This is even a lesson for us all to find time to rest.
“We pray that this state does not experience this ugly incident again. We pray God to cushion the effect of the sad incident on the state, particularly on the immediate family.”
Recall that Ewhrudjakpo’s death has ignited rumors of foul play, fueled by longstanding political friction within the administration. As the only major PDP holdout after Diri’s high-profile defection to the APC, along with several lawmakers and aides, the deputy faced intense pressure to switch allegiances.
His refusal reportedly led to an impeachment plot by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, which he countered with a Federal High Court injunction in Abuja last month, halting proceedings. Governor Diri had publicly assured Ewhrudjakpo’s protection and vowed not to force the issue, but the episode strained relations and drew attacks from pro-defection politicians.
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