Jonathan Mourns as Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Ewhrudjakpo’s Death

Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has described the death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as a painful loss not only to the state government but to all Bayelsans.

Dr. Jonathan spoke on Saturday during a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri and the Ewhrudjakpo family at Government House, Yenagoa.

The former president recalled the late deputy governor’s strong commitment to the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation, noting that Ewhrudjakpo consistently represented the Bayelsa State Government at the foundation’s programmes within and outside the country.

“For me, he was somebody my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programmes. In Benin City, Edo State, he mobilised members of the State Assembly and the Executive Council for our democracy dialogue,” Jonathan said.

He added that Ewhrudjakpo played similar roles at the foundation’s events in Accra, Ghana, and Abuja, including the foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration on November 20.

“Whenever I am having a programme, Bayelsa State is always represented. It is quite a sad moment for all of us,” he stated.

Jonathan eulogised the late deputy governor as humble, tireless, and widely respected, stressing that no one had anything negative to say about him.

“I was also a deputy governor, but he worked harder than me. He appeared not to rest. This is a lesson for all of us to find time to rest. We pray that this state does not experience this ugly incident again. May God cushion the effect of this loss on the state and on the immediate family,” he said.

In his response, Governor Douye Diri thanked the former president for being the first to officially condole with the Bayelsa State Government and the Ewhrudjakpo family. He disclosed that he had directed a medical autopsy to determine the cause of the deputy governor’s death.

The governor cautioned against the politicisation of the tragic incident, particularly on social media, urging the public to honour Ewhrudjakpo’s memory instead.

“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,” Diri said.

“If anyone loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be done to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense on social media. If anyone is issuing a statement, let it end with eulogising him. The state is in mourning, which is why we declared three working days of mourning,” he added.

Governor Diri urged residents to show unity and compassion at the time of grief.

“Let us love one another to the point of death, because all of us will answer this call one day,” he said.

Governor Diri and former President Jonathan later visited the wife of the late deputy governor, Barrister Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, at their residence in Government House to offer further condolences.