•Late Bayelsa Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo
Sadness has enveloped Bayelsa State following the tragic news of the death of the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly passed away after slumping in the office on today morning.
Findings revealed that Ewhrudjakpo, who worked until evening yesterday and even hosted a meeting where the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) commended the State Governor, Douye Diri, for being a champion of primary healthcare, attended a meeting today morning in the office.
Sources stated that the meeting, which had in attendance some community leaders and stakeholders involved in pipeline surveillance, was heated, reports Daily Sun.
Ewhrudjakpo was said to have left the conference room of his office, where the meeting was held, and was climbing the staircase when he slumped.
His aides and top government functionaries who were with him when the incident occurred were said to have rushed him to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa, where doctors confirmed that he had passed.
Government activities are presently paralysed as top government officials are keeping their lips tight over the situation.
Government sources stated that Diri, who is out of the country, has been briefed on the situation, and he is on his way back to the state.
Ewhrudjakpo, aged 60, was elected in February 2020 with Diri after serving for a few months in the Senate representing Bayelsa West.
Before he was elected deputy governor, he was Commissioner for Works under former Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
He was from Ofoni community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
