By Ebiere Kekeboro
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed the death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Oboraw-Harievwo Ewhrudjakpo, on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, reports that Ewhrudjakpo had collapsed had sparked widespread concern over his health. The Tanimu Turaki-led PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described his passing as “shocking” in a statement released Thursday night.
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The party paid tribute to Ewhrudjakpo, describing him as a trusted and faithful member whose death has left the PDP, particularly its faithful in Bayelsa State, in “profound grief.” The statement prayed that God grants his soul eternal rest and extended condolences to the government and people of Bayelsa State over the “painful and irreparable loss.”
The PDP statement read 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 Oboraw-Harievwo Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly collapsed and died earlier today.
“This devastating news has left the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and indeed the entire membership of our great party, especially our faithful members in Bayelsa State, in profound grief.
“While alive, Senator Ewhrudjakpo was an honest and consistent politician who believed in and practiced politics with principle. He was a person of conviction, not convenience; a leader whose life was anchored on belief, integrity, and strength of character. He held firmly to these virtues until his final moments.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of this hero of political integrity, and we pray that God grants his soul eternal rest.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Bayelsa State on this painful and irreparable loss.”
Ewhrudjakpo had served as Deputy Governor under Governor Douye Diri from 2020 until his death. He was first selected as Diri’s running mate during the November 2019 governorship election and retained the position following their reelection in 2023.
In recent months, he had remained absent during Governor Diri’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October. Following the defection, Governor Diri stated he would not compel Ewhrudjakpo to join the ruling party and pledged to continue engaging his deputy for effective governance.
Prior to his sudden death, Ewhrudjakpo had also approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to restrain the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from pursuing impeachment proceedings against him for remaining with the PDP.
The Bayelsa State government is yet to release an official statement regarding his death.