Abuja: The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has expressed deep sorrow over the reported death of Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. Ewhrudjakpo was said to have passed away on December 11, following a collapse in his office at the government house in Yenagoa.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the Global President of the INC, addressed journalists in Abuja, revealing the organisation’s grief over the unexpected demise of the deputy governor. “We received the devastating news of the sudden transition of our son, brother, and a steadfast political leader, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa,” Okaba stated.
Okaba highlighted Ewhrudjakpo’s significant contributions in various political roles, including his service as a commissioner, senator, and deputy governor. He emphasized that Ewhrudjakpo was a committed public servant who worked tirelessly for the development of Bayelsa and the upliftment of the Ijaw people. Okaba noted, “In him, we have lost a trusted and faithful political figure who understood that politics must be practiced with principle, honesty, and consistency.”
The INC president underscored the impact of Ewhrudjakpo’s passing on both Bayelsa and the larger Ijaw nation, labeling it as a national loss. He extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of the INC to Ewhrudjakpo’s immediate family, the Federated Ofoni Community, and the Tarakiri Kingdom. Additionally, he expressed sympathy to Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, former Governor and Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the Bayelsa Executive Council, and the people of Bayelsa.
Okaba assured support for the Bayelsa Government during the official mourning period and expressed prayers for comfort and strength for Ewhrudjakpo’s family and the people of Bayelsa in coping with this profound loss. “Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has finished his race. We are comforted by the indelible marks he has left on the sands of time in Bayelsa,” Okaba concluded.