The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Peter Akpe as the new Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Akpe, who until his confirmation served as Chief of Staff at Government House, Yenagoa, was nominated by Governor Douye Diri to fill the vacancy created by the death of the former Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
His confirmation by the Assembly comes weeks after the state was thrown into mourning over Ewhrudjakpo’s sudden passing in December 2025.
Akpe is a seasoned public administrator and politician. He is a former two-term member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and rose through the civil service to the rank of Director before transitioning into senior political appointments.
He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and later as Acting Chief of Staff before becoming substantive Chief of Staff at Government House.
He holds a PhD and is also known as a Christian minister, often addressed as Hon. (Dr) or Pastor Peter Akpe.
Ewhrudjakpo’s death was formally announced by the Bayelsa State Government in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai.
The statement said the government received the news with “deep regret and profound shock.”
“The Deputy Governor was active and carrying out official duties earlier in the day. He collapsed while proceeding to a scheduled meeting within his office and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead,” the statement read.
Following the announcement, Governor Diri declared three days of mourning across the state and directed that flags be flown at half-mast. He described the incident as “a great loss to the Government and people of Bayelsa State and the nation.”
The Governor also directed that an autopsy be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Diri extended condolences to the late Deputy Governor’s wife, Beatrice, his children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, the Ofoni Federated Community, former governor Henry Seriake Dickson, and the people of Bayelsa State. He prayed for comfort and strength for the bereaved family.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under whose platform Ewhrudjakpo served, described him as “a principled and consistent politician… a person of conviction, not convenience; a leader whose life was anchored on belief, integrity and strength of character.”
Ewhrudjakpo had served as Deputy Governor since 2020, following his election alongside Governor Diri in 2019. The pair were re-elected in 2023.
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