Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has died of cardiac arrest at the age of 60.

Ewhrudjakpo was reported to have collapsed in his office in Yenagoa and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa.

The incident occurred around 1:30 pm, on Thursday prompting an emergency response as eyewitnesses described the deputy governor as being in serious condition upon arrival at the hospital’s emergency unit.

While the Bayelsa State government is yet to issue an official statement regarding the deputy governor’s death, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has however confirmed the death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Oboraw-Harievwo Ewhrudjakpo later on Thursday.

Confirming his passing in a statement on Thursday night, the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, described the news as shocking.

The statement reads: “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 Oborawharievwo 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.

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“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 served as Bayelsa State Deputy Governor alongside Governor Douye Diri from 2020 until his death.

He was first chosen as Diri’s running mate for the November 2019 governorship election and remained in the role after their reelection in 2023.

Before his sudden passing, Ewhrudjakpo was notably absent when Governor Diri defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October. After the defection, Diri said he would not pressure his deputy to join the ruling party, stressing that he would continue to engage him in hopes of finding “positive outcomes.”

Meanwhile, Ewhrudjakpo had filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from proceeding with an alleged plan to impeach him for staying in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).