Bayelsa Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo slumps in his office and dies
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has been confirmed dead after collapsing in his office on Thursday evening in Yenagoa.
According to multiple reports, the deputy governor suddenly slumped while at work and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa.
Medical personnel reportedly pronounced him dead shortly after he arrived at the hospital.
Sudden collapse linked to workload
Although the state government has yet to release an official cause of death, early reports suggest that the collapse may be connected to a heavy workload in recent weeks.
Attempts to reach his media aide, Doubara Atasi, were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.
Political tension before his death
Before his sudden passing, Mr Ewhrudjakpo had kept his distance during Governor Douye Diri’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October.
Governor Diri stated at the time that he would not pressure his deputy to join the ruling party, adding that he would continue to engage him for a positive resolution.
The late deputy governor had also approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from proceeding with an alleged plot to impeach him for remaining in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
