The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally announced the death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, His Excellency Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly collapsed earlier on Thursday.
The party’s confirmation, issued late Thursday night through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the news as devastating and deeply painful. According to the statement, the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP expressed profound shock at the deputy governor’s passing.
Although anxiety had intensified throughout the day following unconfirmed reports about the deputy governor’s sudden collapse, the Bayelsa State government has yet to release an official statement on the incident.
In its message of condolence, the PDP praised Ewhrudjakpo as a steadfast and loyal party member whose death has cast a shadow of grief over the entire PDP family nationwide, especially in Bayelsa State. The party prayed for the repose of his soul and extended heartfelt sympathies to the government and people of Bayelsa State over what it described as a painful and irreparable loss.
The PDP statement reads in part:
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received with deep shock the news of the passing of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and a trusted, faithful party man, His Excellency Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly collapsed and died earlier today.”
Senator Ewhrudjakpo served as deputy governor under Governor Douye Diri from 2020 until his sudden demise. He first emerged as Diri’s running mate in the November 2019 governorship election and was retained in the same position after their joint reelection in 2023.
Before his passing, the deputy governor had notably been absent during Governor Diri’s defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October. At the time, Governor Diri publicly stated that he would not pressure Ewhrudjakpo to follow him to the ruling party and would continue to engage with him constructively.
Meanwhile, Ewhrudjakpo had recently approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to stop the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from proceeding with an alleged plot to impeach him for refusing to defect from the PDP.
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