By Muhammad Mamman
Tension swept Bayelsa State’s capital, Yenagoa, on Thursday after Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo suddenly collapsed in his office and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa for urgent medical attention.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 pm, according to eyewitnesses, who described a sudden panic in the Government House corridors before medical aides and security personnel intervened. Ewhrudjakpo was immediately taken to the hospital’s emergency unit, where he was later stabilised and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Officials at the medical centre confirmed that the deputy governor is under close observation, but no official statement has yet been released regarding the exact cause of the collapse. Sources familiar with the situation, however, have suggested that the health scare may be linked to a suspected cardiac episode, though this has not been formally confirmed.
Before the collapse, Mr Ewhrudjakpo was engaged in routine official duties, but his demanding schedule has previously raised concerns among aides about his intense workload. One associate remarked, “He’s a workaholic; he should find time to rest.”
Security personnel have cordoned off the hospital area as top government officials, including members of the state executive council, continue to visit the deputy governor to express their concern and support.
Attempts to reach Mr Ewhrudjakpo’s media team for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. The state government is expected to issue an official update on his condition in due course.
This unexpected health development comes at a politically sensitive moment for Bayelsa, where tensions have been simmering amid recent political realignments at the highest levels of state leadership.
