Bayelsa: Concern as Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo Collapses, Rushed to Hospital
- The deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, slumped while he was working in his office
- Legit.ng reports that Ewhrudjakpo was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa
- Some media outlets initially reported that the deputy governor had died, but the platforms quickly pulled the story from their website
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
Yenagoa, Bayelsa state - Tension gripped Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Thursday, December 11, after Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo reportedly collapsed and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC).
As reported by Vanguard, the incident occurred around 1:30 pm while the deputy governor, 60, was in his office, prompting an emergency response.
Source: Twitter
Bayelsa deputy governor collapses in Yenagoa
Eyewitnesses described him as being in a serious condition when he was taken to the hospital’s emergency unit.
The newspaper said Ewhrudjakpo is currently stabilised in the intensive care unit (ICU) at FMC.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement regarding the incident.
A source close to the deputy governor said:
“He’s a workaholic; he should find time to rest.”
Security operatives are at the hospital, and top government officials have visited to show their concern.
Attempts to reach the deputy governor’s media aide, Doubara Atasi, for comment were unsuccessful. However, sources at the hospital disclosed that Ewhrudjakpo is receiving the best possible care and is stable.
The deputy governor had recently filed a suit before the federal high court in Abuja against the Bayelsa house of assembly over an alleged plan to impeach him.
Ewhrudjakpo claimed that members of the Bayelsa assembly were under pressure to remove him from office.
He said the impeachment move was due to his refusal to resign from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform on which he and Douye Diri, the state governor, were elected.
The deputy governor also alleged that some council chairpersons were being threatened with removal for refusing to leave the PDP alongside the governor.
Diri joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 4, almost a month after leaving the PDP.
Source: Twitter
Murray-Bruce prays for Ewhrudjakpo
Meanwhile, Ben Murray-Bruce, former Bayelsa east senator, expressed his concern about Ewhrudjakpo's situation, praying for his total recovery.
Murray-Bruce wrote on his verified X page:
"I am deeply concerned to hear of the sudden collapse of our Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. As an indigene of Bayelsa, my thoughts and prayers are with Senator Ewhrudjakpo and his family at this difficult time. May God grant him a swift and complete recovery."
Read more Bayelsa news:
- Bayelsa youths hit streets of Yenagoa in support of embattled former governor, Sylva
- Bayelsa Governor Diri opens up his plan on how to handle deputy who refused to join APC
- Jonathan, Tompolo hold closed-door meeting in Bayelsa
Ex-Bayelsa military administrator, Olubolade dies
Legit.ng earlier reported that Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), the former military administrator of Bayelsa state and an ex-minister of special duties, died.
Olubolade was said to have slumped and died while playing lawn tennis in the Apapa area of Lagos.
The late politician was 70 years old at the time of his death.
Source: Legit.ng
