The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its full weight behind Governor Douye Diri’s directive for an autopsy to be conducted on his late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to medically determine the cause of his sudden death.
Naijaonpoint reports that Governor Diri issued the directive on Saturday, citing the need to quell the “speculations and comments circulating on social media” following Ewhrudjakpo’s reported collapse in his office last Thursday.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, the Bayelsa PDP Secretary, Mr. Ebiye Ogoli, said the party completely aligned with the Governor’s position.
The party secretary described the unexpected death of Ewhrudjakpo as a huge shock and deep pain, noting that the late Deputy Governor was a major asset to the administration.
“The state PDP aligns itself completely with the position of the governor. We are in deep pain over the shocking and unexpected demise of our dear deputy governor, who worked very closely with the state’s chief executive.
“If, because of the pain he feels, the governor has directed that an autopsy be carried out, we consider it reasonable and gladly endorse that position. May the soul of our departed leader find rest in the bosom of the Lord,” Ogoli stated.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo reportedly collapsed in his office at the Government House around 1:30 p.m. last Thursday and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was pronounced dead.
The demand for an autopsy is set against a background of recent political tension in the South-South state.
Recall that Ewhrudjakpo had recently refused to defect from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with Governor Diri.
He had subsequently filed a suit to prevent any possible impeachment attempts by the state House of Assembly over his refusal to defect.