Edith CHUKU
The Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, was overwhelmed with emotion on Wednesday as he paid tribute to his late deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, during a Day of Tribute organised by the state government in his honour.
At the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the governor fought back tears as he spoke about the pain of losing his deputy, who passed away suddenly on December 11, 2025.
Diri said that since that tragic day, he had found it difficult to speak about Ewhrudjakpo without breaking down.
According to the governor, the death of his deputy was a painful reminder of the brevity of life and had left him alone to complete the political journey they began together on February 14, 2020.
He described Ewhrudjakpo as a consummate public servant, loyal ally, dependable colleague and a brother, even as he urged the people of the state to continue to honour Ewhrudjakpo’s memory by living in unity and sustaining the values he stood for.
The Bayelsa helmsman prayed God to strengthen his family and that his legacies would shape the work they started together to a conclusive end.
“Words cannot adequately capture the deep sense of loss that l feel today. l miss his advice. My heart aches. Lawrence, where are you?” he asked repeatedly.
“I have lost a true friend, colleague and brother. To some, Ewhrudjakpo was a hard person, but was so soft to others. To me, he was a man of many proverbs.”
Speaking further, Diri said his late deputy was dependable, resourceful and a workaholic with an uncompromising integrity.
“He was a man of unshakeable loyalty to government, family and friends and his attributes will continue to inspire all of us.”
In his tribute, former president of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said Ewhrudjakpo was an exceptional politician that worked diligently in service of the state as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and later as deputy governor.
According to Jonathan, “Ewhrudjakpo was a nice, lively and extraordinary politician, who believed in doing what was right.”
He encouraged the political class to emulate his examplary conduct.
Also, the immediate past governor of the state and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Seriake Dickson, said he was devastated by Ewhrudjakpo’s unexpected passage and that the deceased’s commitment to service embodied the reasons he delved into public service.
Dickson also recalled his political journey with Ewhrudjakpo, whom he described as his mentee, noting sadly that it was the first time in the history of Bayelsa that it lost a serving deputy governor.
“Ewhrudjakpo and l have been together on a journey in service of our people and upholding the dignity of our people for over 30 years. What can l say? His death was too sudden, too shattering and devastating. Since his unexpected passing on that fateful December 11, l have not been myself.”
Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, stated that Ewhrudjakpo worked hard to elevate the shared vision of the Prosperity Government and that history will record him as having placed the interest of the state above his personal considerations.
In her tribute, the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, described the day Ewhrudjakpo passed on as a dark Thursday for the state judiciary, stating that he touched many lives in different ways but she was consoled by the fact that he died peacefully in the Lord.
Speaking on behalf of the state’s National Assembly Caucus, House of Representatives member, Dr. Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency), Federal Commissioner representing Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states in the Federal Civil Service Commission, Rufus Godwins, and National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum, Amb. Boladei Igali, described the death of Ewhrudjakpo as not only a loss to Bayelsa but also to the entire Niger Delta region.
Immediate past deputy governor of the state and chairman, Bayelsa Elders Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (Rtd), chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, and his Ijaw Youth Council counterpart, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, eulogised Ewhrudjakpo as an astute politician that made an impressive impact while serving the state.
Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, Yenagoa branch, Mr Isaac Kekemeke, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Egbebo, said the departed deputy was full of life and that his death was one of the greatest tragedies in ljawland.
On behalf of the Ewhrudjakpo family, Dr. Solomon Edward said the late deputy governor was not just a generous and caring brother but also played the role of a father, adding that the family and the Ofoni federated communities in Sagbama Local Government Area will greatly miss him.
Personalities at the event included former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, wives of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Diri, wives of former governors, Prof. Rachael Dickson, Margaret Alamieyeseigha and Iyorozite Seibarugu.
Also present were Senators Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) and Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), House of Representatives members, Dr. Mitema Obordor (Ogbia), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw) and Mrs. Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass).
Others were the military governor of the old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Duere-Spiff, a former military administrator of Bayelsa State, Lt. Col. Edor Obi (rtd), former deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, service commanders, representative of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Deinyabofa Dimaro, Director General of the BRACED Commission, Amb. Joe Keshi, Retired Supreme Court Justice and Pere of Tuomo Kingdom, King Francis Tabai.
Also in attendance were the chairman, state caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, Brig. Stanley Diriyai (rtd), former Independent National Electoral Commission Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mike Igini, captains of industry, traditional rulers, religious leaders among other personalities.
