Tears in Yenagoa: Diri, Jonathan, Dickson Mourn Ewhrudjakpo in Emotional Tribute

By Passman Akpos

YENAGOA — Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday struggled to hold back tears as he paid a deeply emotional tribute to his late deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, describing his death as a personal and irreparable loss.

Governor Diri spoke at a Day of Tribute organised by the Bayelsa State Government in honour of the late deputy governor at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Yenagoa. His voice broke repeatedly as he recounted the pain he has endured since Ewhrudjakpo’s sudden demise on December 11, 2025.

The governor said each time he was called upon to speak about his deputy, he found himself overwhelmed by grief, noting that the loss reminded him of the fleeting nature of life and the burden of continuing the journey they both began on February 14, 2020, alone.

Describing Ewhrudjakpo as a consummate public servant, trusted ally, compatriot and brother, Diri urged Bayelsans to honour his memory by sustaining unity and upholding the values he lived for. He prayed for strength for the family and expressed hope that the late deputy’s legacies would guide the completion of the work they started together.

“Words cannot adequately capture the deep sense of loss that I feel today. I miss his advice. My heart aches. Lawrence, where are you?” the governor asked emotionally.

“I have lost a true friend, colleague and brother. To some, Ewhrudjakpo was a hard person, but he was soft to others. To me, he was a man of many proverbs.”

Governor Diri further described his late deputy as dependable, resourceful and a tireless workaholic whose integrity was uncompromising.

“He was a man of unshakeable loyalty to government, family and friends. His attributes will continue to inspire all of us,” he added.Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his tribute, described Ewhrudjakpo as an unusual and exceptional politician who served Bayelsa diligently, first as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and later as deputy governor.

“Ewhrudjakpo was a nice, lively and extraordinary politician who believed in doing what was right,” Dr. Jonathan said, urging members of the political class to emulate his exemplary conduct.

Also paying tribute, immediate past governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Seriake Dickson, said he was devastated by Ewhrudjakpo’s unexpected passing, describing it as shattering and deeply painful.

Recalling their decades-long political journey, Dickson described the late deputy as his mentee and lamented that it was the first time in the history of Bayelsa State that a serving deputy governor died in office.

“Ewhrudjakpo and I have been together on a journey in service of our people for over 30 years. What can I say? His death was too sudden, too shattering and devastating. Since that fateful December 11, I have not been myself,” Dickson said.

Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, noted that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly to advance the vision of the Prosperity Government, adding that history would remember him as a leader who placed the state’s interest above personal considerations.

In her tribute, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, described the day of Ewhrudjakpo’s death as a dark Thursday for the state judiciary, stating that although he touched many lives, she was consoled by the belief that he died peacefully in the Lord.

Speaking on behalf of the Bayelsa National Assembly Caucus, Dr. Fred Agbedi, alongside the Federal Commissioner representing Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states in the Federal Civil Service Commission, Rufus Godwins, and the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Ambassador Boladei Igali, described Ewhrudjakpo’s death as a monumental loss not only to Bayelsa State but to the entire Niger Delta region.

Other tributes were delivered by the immediate past deputy governor and Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd); Chairman of the Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo; President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; and President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Jonathan Lokpobiri, all of whom described Ewhrudjakpo as an astute politician who left an indelible mark in public service.

Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yenagoa Branch, Barr. Isaac Kekemeke, and Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Egbebo, described the late deputy governor as full of life, noting that his death ranked among the greatest tragedies in Ijawland.

On behalf of the Ewhrudjakpo family, Dr. Solomon Edward said the late deputy governor was a generous, caring brother and a father figure, adding that the family and the Ofoni federated communities in Sagbama Local Government Area would deeply miss him.

The event was attended by a distinguished array of personalities, including former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan; wives of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Diri; wives of former governors; senators; members of the House of Representatives; former military administrators; traditional rulers; service commanders; captains of industry; religious leaders; and other notable stakeholders from across the Niger Delta and beyond.