12.12.2025
Bayelsa State Government has declared a three-day state-wide mourning for their departed deputy governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who slumped and died while working on Thursday.
A statement issued Friday by the Bayelsa State commissioner for information, orientation and strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the government described Ewhrudjakpo’s death as one that came with “deep regret and profound shock”.
“The Bayelsa State Government announces with deep regret and profound shock the sudden passing of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Ph.D, on Thursday, 11th December 2025, at the age of 60.
“The deputy governor was active and carrying out official duties earlier in the day. He collapsed while proceeding to a scheduled meeting within his office and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead,” the statement read.
“Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, has declared a State Mourning for 3 working days in honour of the late Deputy Governor beginning from today, Friday, December 12, 2025. All flags are to fly at half-mast. His demise is not just painful; it is a great loss to the Government and people of Bayelsa State and the nation,” the government said.
Diri extended condolences to the deputy governor’s wife, Beatrice, their children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, Ofoni Federated Community, Henry Seriake Dickson, and the citizens of the state. He prayed for God’s comfort and strength “for the family and the entire State”.
Ewhrudjakpo who turned 60 in September 2025 served as deputy under Governor Douye Diri from 2020 until his death.
He was first selected as running mate in the 2019 Bayelsa governorship election and was re-elected alongside Diri in 2023.