Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to medically determine the cause of death of his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who passed away on Thursday, December 11, at the age of 60.

Governor Diri issued the directive while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan, who paid a condolence visit to the Bayelsa State Government and the family of the late deputy governor at the Government House in Yenagoa.

The governor cautioned against the politicisation of Ewhrudjakpo’s death, particularly on social media, urging the public to allow the state and the family to mourn in peace. In a statement released on Sunday by his spokesman, Daniel Alabrah, Diri appealed to residents to refrain from speculation and instead focus on honouring the life and service of the late deputy governor, whom he described as a dedicated and committed public servant.

According to the governor, the autopsy became necessary to put an end to widespread speculation surrounding the circumstances of the death.

“I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media. If anyone is issuing a statement to eulogise him, let it end there and allow us to mourn him because the state is in a mourning mood,” Diri said.

He also noted that the Bayelsa State Government had declared three working days of mourning in honour of the late deputy governor and urged residents to emulate the solidarity shown by the former president.

“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,” he added.

Earlier, former President Goodluck Jonathan described Ewhrudjakpo’s death as a painful loss to Bayelsa State and its people. He recalled the late deputy governor’s consistent support for programmes organised by the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation.

“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programmes,” Jonathan said.

He added that Ewhrudjakpo continued in that role even outside Nigeria, citing events in Accra, Ghana, and Abuja where the deputy governor mobilised support for foundation activities.

Jonathan described the late deputy governor as humble, hardworking, and widely respected, noting that his dedication to duty should serve as a lesson to public office holders.

“I was also a deputy governor, but he worked harder than me. He hardly appeared to rest. This is a lesson for all of us to find time to rest,” Jonathan said, while praying for comfort for the family and the state.

After the condolence visit, Governor Diri and former President Jonathan paid a visit to the wife of the late deputy governor, Barrister Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, at their residence within the Government House complex.