Diri
Succession battle intensifies in Bayelsa over late Deputy Governor’s replacement
Governor Diri under pressure as Sagbama stakeholders demand slot, others caution against narrowing choice
Consultations and quiet lobbying have intensified in Bayelsa State over who should succeed Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died on December 11, 2025, at age 60 after collapsing in his Yenagoa office.
Even before his January 30 burial, political realignments had begun, with attention now fixed on whether Governor Douye Diri should pick a replacement specifically from Ewhrudjakpo’s Sagbama Local Government Area or follow the broader zoning arrangement within Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
Ayebakuro Igbeta, a stakeholder from the area, insisted that Sagbama Constituency I should retain the position in honour of the late deputy governor. Others, however, warned against narrowing the decision to a single local government, stressing the need to preserve political balance across the senatorial district.
Under the Nigerian Constitution, the governor holds the power to nominate a successor, subject to confirmation by the state House of Assembly.
Among those reportedly under consideration are: Dr Peter Akpe, Chief of Staff to the Governor, from Sagbama; Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, elder brother of the late deputy governor and retired permanent secretary; Abraham Ingobere, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, from Brass; and Dr Dennis Otiotio, Bayelsa APC chairman, from Nembe (Bassambiri).
Tensions have been compounded by reports that Ewhrudjakpo had declined to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress alongside Governor Diri—a detail that has layered political undertones onto the succession calculus.
Former governor and Bayelsa West Senator Seriake Dickson criticised the intense lobbying that began even before the deputy governor’s interment. “There is no contention about who should nominate a replacement for the late deputy governor,” Dickson said. “Even though I produced the governor and his deputy, I have neither interfered with the government nor sought any favours. For the six years so far, I have not put Diri under any pressure and will remain so for the remaining two years.”
His remarks appeared calibrated to quell speculation of external influence in the selection process.
David West, Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation in Bayelsa State, argued that the position should remain in Sagbama in the interest of equity and continuity.
“Before the emergence of the governor and his late deputy, there was a political arrangement many people referred to as zoning. This arrangement should be maintained for the next two years of Governor Diri’s administration,” he said.
West criticised what he termed an unnecessary delay in filling the vacancy. “Keeping the appointment of the deputy governor too long is an aberration of the constitution. The new deputy ought to have been named at least 24 hours after the demise of the deputy governor. That does not mean we are not mourning him.”
He added that governance had slowed in the deputy governor’s absence. “As I speak to you now, the governor is not in the state, and state activities are at a standstill, which is not proper.”
West urged Diri to prioritise character, competence and acceptability in choosing a successor, cautioning against using the appointment as political compensation.
About The Author
