Following the death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Senior Correspondent, Okungbowa Aiwerie, examines its wider political implications and the search for his successor.

Although the Nigerian Constitution does not specify a time limit within which a new deputy governor must be appointed if the position becomes vacant, the sudden death of Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has, undoubtedly, created a vacuum in the state’s leadership structure that needs to be filled.

The constitution empowers the governor of the affected state to nominate a replacement, but requires confirmation by a simple majority of the State House of Assembly. It mandates “due legislative and constitutional procedures.”

Following the tragic events of last week, the Bayelsa government declared a three-working-day mourning period while also dedicating its weekly five-kilometre ‘Prosperity Walk’, among other activities, in honour of the departed deputy governor.

Governor Douye Diri, in a statement, paid glowing tribute to the memory of the deceased, describing his death as “profoundly shocking, adding that the deceased “was active and carrying out official duties earlier in the day.”

According to a statement by Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Bayelsa Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, all flags in public buildings are to fly at half-mast,

Continuing, “His demise is not just painful, it is a great loss to the Government, people of Bayelsa State and the nation. Senator Ewhrudjakpo was an accomplished public servant who served the State with distinction as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and Deputy Governor since 2020.

“Governor Douye Diri, on behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa State, expresses heartfelt condolences to his wife, Her Excellency, Barr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, their children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, Ofoni Federated Community, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and all citizens of the State.

“Consequently, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, has declared a state mourning for three working days in honour of the late Deputy Governor beginning from today, Friday, December 12, 2025. All flags are to fly at half-mast.”

Although Bayelsans are not unaccustomed to a vacancy in the office of the Deputy Governor, albeit through the death of its occupant. In 2005, the impeachment of Bayelsa Governor DSP Alameseigha created room for his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, to step in as Governor. And with the office of Deputy Governor vacant, Rt Hon Peremobowei Ebiebi, then Speaker, was nominated as Deputy Governor.

But where would the pendulum swing this time? Who becomes the next deputy governor of the state?

The Nation gathered that four persons have emerged as front-runners, including incumbent Speaker, Rt Hon Abraham Ingobere, Dr Peter Akpe, Chief of Staff to Gov. Diri, APC State Chairman, Dr Dennis Otiotio and Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, elder brother to the late deputy governor.

While Governor Douye Diri’s choice of replacement should not pose a significant challenge, given the array of qualified persons, there is agitation in some quarters that the zoning principle be respected.

Stakeholders insist the next occupant must come from Sagbama LGA, the local government area of the deceased.

A former Bayelsa Commissioner for Youth Development and ex-President, Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Udengs Eradiri, in a telephone interview, expressed sadness over the death of Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, whom he said brought “value to governance.”

He added that the right person for the job must have experience in dealing with political and administrative issues and have occupied leadership positions in organisations.

He argued that a top civil servant or a military officer would be best suited for the job, having acquired relevant competencies in the course of their careers.

Analysing the broader political implications of the deputy governor’s demise, Eradiri said Ewhrudjakpo’s replacement must be “politically astute and blessed with profound intellect and capacity to manage stakeholders,” adding that Gov Diri must nominate a politician with political clout and pedigree as the nation braces up for the 2027 elections.

He said, “ Gov Diri Is in a tight situation. I don’t envy him because within a short period, he must pick someone who will fill that space. The occupant of that office must be able to support the governor the way Bayelsa has always operated. Diri needs someone who is politically astute because of the 2027 elections. Someone who can hold the reins of government while he is politicking. We have always had eminent personalities holding this position in the past. We have had as deputy governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) and now Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who recently passed away.”

Besides, state PDP are insisting the new deputy governor be drawn from its ranks, arguing that the late Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was, until his death ’ card-carrying PDP member.

Although several calls and text messages to Bayelsa PDP Chairman, Chief Solomon Agwanana, were not returned, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity maintained that the party’s input is vital, especially when the late deputy governor was a card-carrying member until his demise.

His words, “It Is indeed a tragic situation that we find ourselves as a party with the demise of a leading light of our great party. Let’s be clear on this issue. Our party reserves the right to contribute to whoever gets nominated for the deputy governorship position. Originally, Gov Diri and Erhwujakpo are on a joint ticket and should be allowed to make an input on who becomes the next second- in- command. In the interest of peace and justice, our party should be carried along.”

Of the four front-runners, two, including Dr Peter Akpe and Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, meet zoning requirements for leadership positions in the state, both from Bayelsa West.

The Speaker, Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere and Dr Dennis Otiotio, who both hail from Bayelsa East, may face an uphill task to claim the position as their nominations might upset zoning principles.

Dr Peter Akpe is the current Chief of Staff to Gov Douye Diri and hails from Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

He was appointed in March 2024, and previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff (2020-2023), Acting Chief of Staff (2023-Feb 2024), Head of Administration, and member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. A veteran public administrator with a PhD in Administration & Planning.

Dr Akpe worked in both the Rivers and Bayelsa State Civil Service for over 20 years and retired as Assistant Director.

He also served as Head of Administration, Office of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State (2006–2007), Commissioner with the Bayelsa State House of Assembly Service Commission (2008–2011), a two-term member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and was Leader of the House between 2011 and 2019.

The astute administrator is a fellow of several professional bodies, a 5th Degree Black Belter and Certified Kukiwon Coach in Taekwondo, and is currently the Pastor-in-Charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Bayelsa Province 1 and a part-time Lecturer with the Redeemed Christian Bible College, University of Ede, Osun State.

Chief Dennis Otiotio Odoni (PhD) is a prominent Nigerian legal practitioner and politician currently serving as the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State.

He was born on October 25, 1972, in Nembe (Bassambiri), Bayelsa State.

In April 2025, he was appointed by President Tinubu as the Chairman of the Governing Board for the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State. He is a seasoned solicitor and researcher focusing on legal frameworks for hydrocarbon resources and operates the law firm D.I.D. Otiotio & Co. in Yenagoa.

Rt Hon Abraham Ingobere was born in 1974 and hails from Brass LGA and currently serves as the 7th speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly since 6 June 2023.

Ingobere is a member of the All Progressives Congress, representing Brass Constituency 3 in the state legislature. A 4th term member of the assembly, he served as the 6th speaker of the House and was re-elected speaker of the 7th assembly unchallenged on 6 June 2023.

He is a grassroots politician who is much loved by his constituents.

He is perceived as Gov Diri’s loyalist and a dependable political ally, who defected along with 17 members of the state legislature to the APC with the governor.

The major drawback to his ambition is the fact that ,he hails from Bayelsa East. Besides, with the zoning arrangements in the state, his senatorial district is poised to produce the next Bayelsa Governor in 2028. Will he forgo nomination for deputy Governor and hope to clinch the APC gubernatorial ticket in 2028 when Gov Diri’s tenure lapses?

Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, the elder brother of the late deputy governor recently retired as permanent secretary in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Education. He is currently an aide to Governor Diri.

Although little known politically, his pedigree as a top functionary may stand him in good stead. (The Nation)