Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday received fresh waves of condolence visits following the death of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as political leaders, traditional figures and institutions gathered at Government House, Yenagoa.
Among those who paid their respects were a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Bayelsa Elders Council and a group led by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the INEC team was led by the Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mallam Isah Ehimeakhe, while the elders were headed by the immediate past deputy governor and chairman of the council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd).
Tompolo’s delegation included a member of the House of Representatives, Julius Pondi, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, and businessman Matthew Tonlagha.
Speaking for INEC, the commission’s Administrative Secretary in the state, Mrs Eme Akpa, described the late deputy governor as a public officer whose commitment to duty and service to Bayelsa stood out.
She said the commission had come to identify with the governor, the Ewhrudjakpo family and the people of the state at a difficult moment.
Rear Admiral John-Jonah, in his remarks, said the death of Ewhrudjakpo had deeply unsettled the state, saying that his contributions to governance were known by uncommon diligence and sacrifice.
He described the late deputy governor as a tireless figure in government whose work ethic helped to ease the burden of leadership.
On behalf of the Ekpemupolo delegation, Hon Julius Pondi said the Ijaw nation had been in mourning since the news of Ewhrudjakpo’s death broke last Thursday.
He conveyed Tompolo’s tribute, describing the late deputy governor as a dependable partner to Governor Diri and a public servant who gave his all until his final days in office.
Responding, Governor Diri said the loss of his deputy remained difficult to comprehend, adding that it was the first time in Bayelsa’s history that a serving deputy governor had died in office.
He said Ewhrudjakpo was a dependable ally whose contributions were central to the achievements recorded by the administration, built on a harmonious working relationship within government.
The governor also conveyed the condolences of President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whom he said had personally reached out to commiserate with the Bayelsa government and people.
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