Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the late Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died on Thursday after collapsing at his office.
Governor Diri made this known on Saturday during a visit by former President Goodluck Jonathan to Government House in Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo reportedly slumped at his desk before being rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Yenagoa, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The incident has since sparked speculation and conspiracy theories across social media platforms.
Reacting to the growing online narratives, Governor Diri condemned what he described as “a lot of nonsense going on on social media,” stressing that the deputy governor’s death should not be politicised.
He said, “I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the death of our dearly beloved deputy governor. If anyone loves him, this is the time to show it.
“I have directed that an autopsy be done to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.
“If anybody is issuing any statement to eulogise him, please end at that and mourn him because the state is in a mourning mood. That is why we have declared three working days of mourning, and we expect everyone in the state to do what the former president has done today.
“Let us love one another to the point of death because all of us will answer this call one day.”
Speaking during the visit, Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as someone he will never forget.
The former president said Ewhrudjakpo worked harder in the role than he did when he was the state’s deputy governor.
Jonathan said, “For me, he was somebody my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programmes.
“This year in Accra, Ghana, he did the same. On November 20 this year, he also mobilised assembly members and commissioners to Abuja to celebrate the 10th year of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation.
“Whenever I am having a programme, Bayelsa State is always represented. It is quite a sad moment for all of us.
“I was also a deputy governor, but he worked harder than me. He appeared not to rest. This is even a lesson for us all to find time to rest.
“We pray that this state does not experience this ugly incident again. We pray God to cushion the effect of the sad incident on the state, particularly on the immediate family.”