Bayelsa Govt Debunks Viral Claims Over Removal of Late Deputy Governor’s Official Portrait
By Passman Akpos
The Bayelsa State Government has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media claiming that the official portrait of the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was removed from his office following his sudden demise.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Office of the Deputy Governor described the viral post as a deliberate misrepresentation of facts, stressing that the official frame of the late Deputy Governor remains intact.
According to the statement, the confusion arose after a particular portrait of Senator Ewhrudjakpo was temporarily pulled from the protocol department for an urgent official purpose, not as part of any directive to evacuate his office or belongings.
The government explained that the Ewhrudjakpo family had opened a condolence register at his official residence in line with established custom, necessitating the immediate use of a befitting portrait for the exercise. The portrait was therefore taken from the protocol department to properly launch the condolence register ahead of an anticipated visit by Governor Douye Diri and other top government officials.
“It is unfortunate that a Corps member assigned to retrieve the portrait was recorded by another Corps member, and the video was insensitively shared on social media,” the statement noted, adding that a closer look at the environment shown in the viral footage clearly indicates that it was not the Deputy Governor’s main office.
The Office of the Deputy Governor urged the public to disregard speculations suggesting that there was any mandate to remove the late Deputy Governor’s official portrait or properties from his office, describing such claims as “false and misleading.”
The statement emphasized that Bayelsa State, alongside the immediate family of the late Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, is still in deep mourning and called on members of the public to show sensitivity and restraint.
The disclaimer was signed by Mr. Clement Ovokeroye Paul, Senior Special Assistant (New Media), Deputy Governor’s Office, Bayelsa State.
