Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has described his relationship with his late deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as one founded on brotherhood and friendship, rather than a conventional boss–subordinate arrangement.
Ewhrudjakpo died on Thursday at the age of 60.
The governor spoke on Friday when he led a delegation of state legislators and top government officials on a condolence visit to the Ewhrudjakpo family at their official residence in Government House, Yenagoa.
According to Diri, the bond he shared with his deputy was marked by loyalty, trust and mutual respect, stressing that Ewhrudjakpo was a dependable and hardworking partner in governance.
“We came a long way from the administration of my predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson. We worked together for eight years and, in our own government, we have been together for almost six years,” the governor said.
“You know what it means to have a deputy governor who works with you loyally. He was dependable, a workaholic and very resourceful.
“We came together as friends and brothers. Our working relationship was not that of a boss and subordinate, but that of brothers and friends, while recognising that I was his principal.”
Diri said he found it difficult to imagine celebrating the sixth anniversary of his administration without Ewhrudjakpo, noting that they had planned to serve together for two full terms.
“We believed we were going to serve together for eight years and we were almost there. Now, how do I celebrate our sixth anniversary in office without Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo?” the governor asked.
The governor, who described his deputy as “a man of many parts,” highlighted Ewhrudjakpo’s contributions as a lawyer and public health advocate, particularly his role in overseeing the state’s primary healthcare initiatives.
“Coincidentally, today, the Bayelsa State Government received a primary healthcare award in Abuja. God called him when the ovation was loudest,” he said.
Diri, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, described Ewhrudjakpo as an upright, justice-driven leader whose death was a painful and significant loss to Bayelsa State.
He urged the Ewhrudjakpo family and the Ofoni community to find solace in God’s will, while taking pride in the late deputy governor’s impactful service to the state.
The governor pledged continued support for the family, including the sponsorship of Ewhrudjakpo’s children’s education at any level, and assured that members of his personal staff would retain their positions in government.
He also assured the Ofoni community that their son, who died in active service, would be accorded a befitting state burial.
Responding on behalf of the family, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and ex-Commissioner for Education, Dr Oyovwhi Osusu, thanked the governor for standing with the family and the Ofoni community during the period of mourning.
Dr Osusu said the family was still in shock over the death but had accepted it as God’s will, while expressing gratitude to the state government for its support.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Dr Gloria Diri; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abraham Ingobere; Deputy Speaker, Michael Ogbere; House Leader, Monday Obolo-Bubou; and other members of the legislature.
Also present were the immediate past Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd); Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Peter Akpe; Deputy Chief of Staff, Irorodamie Komonibo; members of the State Executive Council; President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba; and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr Solomon Agwana, among others.
