Tinubu, Jonathan, Diri, Makinde, Obi, others pay last respects

The late Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was on Friday laid to rest at his country home in Ofoni Federated Communities, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

President Bola Tinubu represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas represented by the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere; the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, were among the dignitaries that graced the funeral service at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Ofoni.

Speaking during the service, President Tinubu said Ewhrudjakpo’s demise was a huge loss not only to the state but also to the country at large given his legacy of service.

In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan stated that Ewhrudjakpo’s death was a bitter pill to swallow, but as Christians, those affected should give thanks to God in line with the biblical teaching that urges believers to thank God in all things.

Also, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, described the passing of his deputy, as a harsh reality that was impossible to ignore but said God who took him cannot be questioned. He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and all those who in one way or another consoled the state government and contributed to the success of the burial.

In his sermon, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, admonished Christians not to mourn like those without hope, saying their focus should be on their Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Other dignitaries in attendance were former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, wife of the Bayelsa Governor, Justice Patience Diri, Governor of Enugu State represented by the Secretary to the State Government, immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Seriake Dickson, as well as the deputy governors of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Benue, Abia, Plateau, and Bauchi states.

The Bayelsa State Deputy Governor died on December 11, 2025 after he collapsed in his office in the Government House.