About two weeks after the death of the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, the immediate past state governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, has finally decided to visit Bayelsa on a condolence visit to the governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Dickson was the one who nominated Ewrudjakpo, to work with Diri as deputy. That was after the late deputy governor had worked with him as personal assistant during his days as state commissioner for justice, Senior Legislative Aide, SLA, when Dickson was in the House of Representatives, and also as commissioner for works when Dickson was governor.
After the man died about 12 days ago, Dickson has been receiving people on condolence visits in his Abuja home, but did not think it was necessary to visit either the governor of the state or the bereaved family until Tuesday.
While he was being ushered into the office by Diri and other government officials, Dickson wore a very tight face. At some point as he was talking to the governor, he had his right hand in his pocket, while holding on to his walking stick with his other hand.
As he settled down to address the governor, he said the death of the deputy governor was a personal loss and deeply saddening. He was accompanied by his wife, Prof. Rachael Dickson, and a large delegation of political associates.
In expressing how pained he was, he noted that his first visit to the Government House after he left office in 2020, was because of the demise of Ewhrudjakpo and described the visit as a very sad moment for him and that the news of the death of his long-standing political ally broke him.
He said: “On a nostalgic, historic note, let me say that this particular visit leaves a very sour taste in my mouth. I would have preferred since handing over in 2020 to you that I visited here on a happy occasion.
“But my very first visit in this conference hall and to this Government House is on a very sombre and sad note. That is the way God has destined it to be. I would have loved to be here much earlier since this happened on December 11. But this was one death that broke me. It was unexpected, sudden, and the profundity of the loss was enormous.”
He eulogised Ewhrudjakpo, saying his public service stood him out with records of sterling performance, first as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, who supervised construction of the present Government House edifice.
“This is the very first time in our history as a state that this sad event has occurred. Everyone here knows what Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo did in public service and what he stood for.
“But stepping here, my mind flashed back to some of the key infrastructure projects he drove as commissioner and where I have to pay this condolence visit here in this edifice that stands to his name.”
While condoling with Governor Douye Diri, the government, the Ewhrudjakpo family and people of the state, Dickson urged Bayelsans and the political class to unite at this trying time irrespective of political association.
Responding, Diri thanked his predecessor for finding time to visit to condole with the state and the family of the deceased and noted that the present time was tough for everyone emotionally as Ewhrudjakpo’s death had a huge and direct impact on him, his predecessor and the deceased’s family.
“I thank you sir for summoning the courage to move to Bayelsa. This is a loss that affects you. That is why in my condolence message, after acknowledging the government, the family, and the people, I also acknowledged you because I understand how you feel.
“Today, you summoned the courage to come to your state after we discussed. It is a tragic death and a blow to the people, the government of this state, the family, and to you even as a person.”
