Bayelsa state Governor, Duoye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to medically check what caused his Deputy’s death, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who died on Thursday, December 11, at age 60.
The Governor gave the directive while receiving Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who paid a condolence visit to Bayelsa State Government and the Family of the Late Deputy Governor at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The Governor also gave a strong warning about politicizing the death of his deputy, particularly on social media, urging the public to respect the period of mourning in the state. In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Mr Alabrah Daniel, Diri Appealed to residents to avoid speculations and instead focus on celebrating the life and service of the late Deputy Governor, whom he described as a dedicated and committed public servant.
He added that the autopsy was necessary to put an end to speculations surrounding the circumstances that led to death of the Deputy Governor.
In his statement, he said; “I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There’s a lot of Nonsense going on on social media. If anyone is issuing a statement to eulogize him, let it end there and allow us to mourn him because the state is in a mourning mood’’.
The Governor noted that the state Government has declared three working days of mourning in honour of the late deputy governor and urged residents to emulate the former president Jonathan show of solidarity.
“That is the reason why he has declared three working days of mourning, and everyone in the state is expected to do with the former president has done today.” He stated.
Earlier, former president Goodluck described the Deputy Governor’s death as a very painful loss to Bayelsa Government and its people. He recalled the consistent support of the Late Deputy Governor for activities organized by the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation.
In his words, he stated “For me, he was someone that my organization and I will never forget. He represented the Governor in all of our programmes”.
He noted that the former Deputy Governor had continued in the role even outside the country. “This year in Accra Ghana, he did the same. On November 20th, he also mobilized assembly members and commissioners to Abuja to mark the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation. Whenever I have a programme, Bayelsa state is always represented, it is a sad moment for all of us”.
The former president described the late deputy governor as humble, widely respected and hardworking , saying his dedication to duty should serve as a lesson to public office holders.
“I was also a Deputy Governor, but he worked harder than me. He hardly appeared to rest. This is a lesson for all of us to find time to rest. We pray that this state doesn’t experience this kind of incident again. We ask God to cushion the impact of this loss on the state, especially on the immediate family,” he stated.
After the condolence visit, the Governor and the former president paid a visit to his the wife of the deputy governor, Barrister Ewhrudjakpo Beatrice, at their residence within the Complex of the Government house.
May the deputy governor rest in peace
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