Political lobbying and consultations intensified in Bayelsa State as attention shifted to who emerges as successor to the late deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Even before the burial of the late deputy governor, political consultations and lobbying had been ongoing, following his refusal to join his principal, Governor Douye Diri, to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Ewhrudjakpo died on December 11, 2025, at the age of 60, after collapsing in his office in Yenagoa.

He was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was pronounced dead.

His death sparked a debate over whether the next deputy governor should come from Sagbama Local Government Area, where he hailed from, or the existing zoning arrangements within Bayelsa West Senatorial District should prevail.

Some stakeholders argued that fairness demanded that Sagbama produce the replacement to complete the tenure.

One of the stakeholders, Ayebakuro Igbeta, said Sagbama Constituency I should be allowed to complete the term, given that Ewhrudjakpo was from the area.

Others, however, insisted that zoning and broader representation across the senatorial district should guide the decision, warning against upsetting the existing political balance in the state.

Under the Constitution, Diri has the power to nominate a replacement, subject to confirmation by the state House of Assembly.

Names being mentioned as possible replacements included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, who is from Sagbama Local Government Area; Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, elder brother of the late deputy governor and a retired permanent secretary; Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, from Brass Local Government Area; and the Bayelsa State chairman of the APC, Dr Dennis Otiotio, from Nembe (Bassambiri).

Former governor and senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, criticised what he described as intense lobbying for Ewhrudjakpo’s replacement even before his burial, held on January 30.

He said that with the burial concluded, the responsibility of nominating a successor rested squarely with the governor.

“There is no contention about who should nominate a replacement for the late deputy governor.

“Even though I produced the governor and his deputy, I have neither interfered with the government nor sought any favours.

“For the six years so far, I have not put Diri under any pressure and will remain so for the remaining two years,” he said.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation in Bayelsa State, Mr David West, argued that for reasons of equity and political balance, the deputy governor’s position should remain in Sagbama.

He said, “Before the emergence of the governor and his late deputy, there was a political arrangement many people referred to as zoning. This arrangement should be maintained for the next two years of Governor Diri’s administration.

“Keeping the appointment of the deputy governor too long is an aberration of the constitution. The new deputy ought to have been named at least 24 hours after the demise of the deputy governor. That does not mean we are not mourning him.

“The governor is not always in the state, and most times the late deputy governor represented him at various political gatherings.

“As I speak to you now, the governor is not in the state, and state activities are at a standstill, which is not proper.”

West advised the governor to prioritise character, competence and acceptability in nominating a replacement and cautioned against political compensation. (Text, excluding headline: The PUNCH)

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