Political negotiations and talks intensified in Bayelsa State as emphasis moved to who will succeed the late deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Even before the late deputy governor’s burial, political conversations and lobbying had begun following his refusal to join his principal, Governor Douye Diri, in defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Ewhrudjakpo, 60, died on December 11, 2025, after fainting in his office in Yenagoa.
He was transported to the Federal Medical Center in Yenagoa, where he was pronounced dead.
His death triggered a discussion about whether the next deputy governor should come from Sagbama Local Government Area, where he was from, or if the existing zoning rules within Bayelsa West Senatorial District should be followed.
Some parties contended that fairness necessitated that Sagbama produce a substitute to complete his term.
One of the stakeholders, Ayebakuro Igbeta, stated that Sagbama Constituency I should be allowed to complete the term because Ewhrudjakpo was from the area.
Others, however, argued that zoning and greater representation across the senatorial district should drive the decision, cautioning against disrupting the state’s current political equilibrium.
According to the Constitution, Diri has the authority to designate a replacement, subject to ratification by the state House of Assembly.
Possible replacements included the governor’s chief of staff, Dr. Peter Akpe, from Sagbama Local Government Area; Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, the late deputy governor’s elder brother and a retired permanent secretary; Speaker of the State House of Assembly Abraham Ingobere, from Brass Local Government Area; and Bayelsa State APC Chairman Dr. Dennis Otiotio, from Nembe (Bassambiri).
Seriake Dickson, a former governor and senator representing Bayelsa West, criticized what he described as aggressive campaigning for Ewhrudjakpo’s replacement before his burial on January 30.
He stated 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 favors.
“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.
Mr. David West, head of the Civil Liberties Organisation in Bayelsa State, also spoke, arguing that the deputy governor’s office should remain in Sagbama for the sake of equity and political balance.
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 recommended the governor prioritize character, competency, and acceptability when appointing a replacement and warned against political compensation.
