Political consultations and behind-the-scenes negotiations have gathered momentum in Bayelsa State as leaders and stakeholders deliberate over who will replace the late Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Ewhrudjakpo passed away on December 11, 2025, at the age of 60 after reportedly collapsing in his office in Yenagoa. He was later confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Centre in the state capital. Even before his interment on January 30, political calculations had begun to surface, with attention shifting to the constitutional process of filling the vacancy in Governor Douye Diri’s administration.
At the heart of the debate is whether the replacement should emerge specifically from Sagbama Local Government Area, the late deputy governor’s political base, or whether the broader zoning structure within Bayelsa West Senatorial District should determine the choice.
Some voices within Sagbama argue that equity and respect for existing political understandings require that the slot remain within the local government, at least for the remainder of the administration’s tenure. Ayebakuro Igbeta, a prominent figure from the area, has publicly maintained that Sagbama Constituency I should retain the position in honour of Ewhrudjakpo’s legacy.
However, other stakeholders caution against limiting the selection to a single local government area. They stress the importance of preserving the wider political balance within the senatorial district, noting that zoning arrangements were originally designed to foster inclusion and stability across communities.
Under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the governor holds the authority to nominate a replacement deputy governor, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly. This legal framework places the final decision squarely in Governor Diri’s hands, though political realities suggest that consultations remain crucial.
Several names have surfaced in political circles as possible successors. Among them are Dr. Peter Akpe, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, who hails from Sagbama; Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, elder brother of the late deputy governor and a retired permanent secretary; Abraham Ingobere, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from Brass Local Government Area; and Dr. Dennis Otiotio, the Bayelsa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Nembe (Bassambiri).
The unfolding succession process has been further complicated by reports that the late Ewhrudjakpo had declined to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC alongside Governor Diri. This political divergence has added another layer of intrigue to the ongoing consultations.
Weighing in on the situation, former Governor and current Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, criticised what he described as premature political manoeuvring. He emphasised that the constitutional responsibility for nominating a replacement rests solely with the governor.
“There is no dispute about who has the power to nominate a new deputy governor,” Dickson stated, adding that despite having supported the emergence of the current administration, he has refrained from interfering in its affairs. He noted that over the past six years, he has neither pressured Governor Diri nor sought political concessions and intends to maintain that stance for the remainder of the tenure.
Civil society groups have also entered the conversation. The Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation in Bayelsa, Mr. David West, argued that fairness and continuity demand that the position remain in Sagbama, in line with earlier zoning understandings. According to him, the arrangement that guided the emergence of both the governor and his late deputy should be respected for the remaining two years of the administration.
West also expressed concern over the delay in appointing a successor, describing prolonged vacancy in the office as inconsistent with constitutional expectations. He maintained that while mourning the late deputy governor is necessary, governance should not be allowed to stall.
He further observed that the absence of a deputy governor has affected administrative efficiency, particularly when the governor is out of the state. West urged Governor Diri to prioritise integrity, competence and broad acceptability in making his choice, warning against turning the appointment into a vehicle for political patronage.
As consultations continue, the decision is expected to test both the strength of Bayelsa’s zoning tradition and the governor’s political judgment. The coming weeks may prove decisive in shaping not only the composition of the state’s executive council but also the broader political landscape ahead of future elections.
0 Comments