The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, was on Thursday taken to the hospital after collapsing at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The incident occurred in the afternoon, and though details remain unclear, sources described his condition as serious. One of the sources said he was moved to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, for urgent medical attention.
Efforts to confirm his exact location and condition were unsuccessful, as the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Ben Akpedi, did not respond to calls.
However, the Deputy Governor’s media aide, Doubara Atasi, confirmed the development. When asked to verify the reports, he simply said “Yes” and ended the call without providing further information.
The development comes weeks after Ewhrudjakpo was noticeably absent when Governor Douye Diri announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party in October. During that announcement, made at an expanded State Executive Council meeting, Governor Diri declared his move to the All Progressives Congress alongside members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. Ewhrudjakpo’s stance on the governor’s political shift was not mentioned.
Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said at the time that the decision followed extensive consultations with key political actors in the state. He urged supporters to remain committed as the governor sought to build what he described as a stronger Bayelsa.
As of press time, no official update has been issued on the Deputy Governor’s health condition.