Peter Akpe Confirmed as New Bayelsa Deputy Governor

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has officially confirmed the appointment of Peter Akpe as the new Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, following his nomination by Governor Douye Diri.

Akpe’s confirmation fills the vacancy created by the death of former deputy governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who passed away in December 2025. Until his elevation, Akpe served as Chief of Staff at Government House in Yenagoa, where he was responsible for policy coordination and administrative oversight.

The confirmation process followed several weeks of official mourning after Ewhrudjakpo collapsed while on duty and was later pronounced dead at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

The state government described his passing as a moment of “deep regret and profound shock.”

Peter Pereotubo Akpe was born in Bayelsa State and hails from Sagbama Local Government Area. He began his tertiary education at the Rivers State College of Education, studying Education. He later earned a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in Educational Management and Planning from Rivers State University, equipping him with analytical and organisational skills valuable for public sector administration.

A seasoned public administrator and politician, Akpe brings extensive experience to his new role.

He served two terms as a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and rose through the state civil service to the rank of Director before transitioning to senior political appointments.

Akpe began his professional career as a lecturer at Niger Delta University, contributing to teaching and research in education policy and management.

His academic background shaped his methodical approach to governance, emphasising planning, evaluation, and accountability.

He later served in various advisory roles, including legislative aide and Special Adviser on Political Matters, which provided him with exposure to grassroots political dynamics and administrative processes.

Akpe is also an ordained clergyman with the Redeem Christian Church of God and is widely addressed as Hon. (Dr) or Pastor Peter Akpe, reflecting his combined public service and faith-based engagements.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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