Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to medically determine the cause of death of his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who passed away on Thursday, December 11, at the age of 60.
The directive was given during a condolence visit by former President Goodluck Jonathan to the Bayelsa State Government and the family of the late deputy governor at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Governor Diri cautioned against the politicisation of Ewhrudjakpo’s death, particularly on social media, urging the public to respect the state’s period of mourning. In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor appealed to residents to refrain from speculation and instead focus on celebrating the life and service of the late deputy governor, whom he described as a devoted and committed public servant.
According to Diri, the autopsy became necessary to put an end to rumours surrounding the circumstances of the death.
“I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media. If anyone is issuing a statement to eulogise him, let it end there and allow us to mourn him because the state is in a mourning mood,” the governor said.
He also noted that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in honour of the late deputy governor and urged residents to show solidarity, as demonstrated by the former president.
“That is why we have declared three working days of mourning, and we expect everyone in the state to do what the former president has done today,” he added.
Earlier, former President Jonathan described Ewhrudjakpo’s death as a painful loss to Bayelsa State and its people. He recalled the late deputy governor’s consistent support for programmes organised by the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programmes,” Jonathan said.
He added that Ewhrudjakpo continued to play that role even outside the country, including at events in Accra, Ghana, and during the foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration in Abuja on November 20.
Jonathan described the late deputy governor as humble, hardworking and widely respected, noting that his dedication to duty should serve as a lesson to public office holders.
“I was also a deputy governor, but he worked harder than me. He hardly appeared to rest. This is a lesson for all of us to find time to rest. We pray that this state does not experience this kind of incident again,” he said.
Following the condolence visit, Governor Diri and former President Jonathan visited the wife of the late deputy governor, Barrister Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, at their residence within the Government House complex.
