Governor Douye Diri has directed that an autopsy be carried out to determine the cause of the sudden death of Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the state’s deputy governor.
Okay News reports that Ewhrudjakpo died on Thursday after collapsing in his office and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
Speaking while hosting former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House, Diri condemned what he described as attempts to politicise the tragedy, urging the public to show respect during the period of mourning.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the death of our dearly beloved deputy governor. If anyone loves him, this is the time to show it,” the governor said.
“I have directed that an autopsy be done to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.
“If anybody is issuing any statement to eulogise him, please end at that and mourn him because the state is in a mourning mood. 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.
“Let us love one another to the point of death because all of us will answer this call one day.”
Jonathan, who was on a condolence visit, described the late deputy governor as an exceptional public servant whose work ethic surpassed even his own during his time in the office.
“For me, he was somebody my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programmes,” Jonathan said.
“This year in Accra, Ghana, he did the same. On November 20 this year, he also mobilised assembly members and commissioners to Abuja to celebrate the 10th year of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation.
“Whenever I am having a programme, Bayelsa State is always represented. It is quite a sad moment for all of us.
“I was also a deputy governor, but he worked harder than me. He appeared not to rest. This is even a lesson for us all to find time to rest.
“We pray that this state does not experience this ugly incident again. We pray God to cushion the effect of the sad incident on the state, particularly on the immediate family.”
