TINUBU, JONATHAN, DIRI, MAKINDE, OBI, OTHERS PAY LAST RESPECT TO LATE BAYELSA DEPUTY GOVERNOR

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and other prominent Nigerians on Friday paid their last respects to the late Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was laid to rest in Ofoni Federated Communities, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

President Tinubu was represented at the funeral service held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ofoni, by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

Also in attendance were Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde; former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

In a message delivered on his behalf, President Tinubu described Ewhrudjakpo’s death as a huge loss to Bayelsa State and Nigeria, noting that the late deputy governor lived a life of service and left a lasting legacy.

Former President Jonathan described Ewhrudjakpo as a good man whose death was painful, saying it was rare for a politician of his stature to be so widely spoken of with admiration.

Governor Diri said the passing of his deputy was a harsh reality but one that must be accepted as the will of God, adding that Ewhrudjakpo was a careful and selfless public servant.

In a sermon, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, urged Christians not to mourn without hope and called on politicians to emulate the late deputy governor’s humility, generosity and integrity.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo died on December 11, 2025, after collapsing in his office at the Government House, Yenagoa.