The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has confirmed Peter Akpe as deputy governor, following the death of his predecessor.
Akpe, who had been serving as chief of staff to Governor Douye Diri, was nominated to fill the vacancy left by Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died in December 2025.
A former two-term lawmaker in the state assembly, Akpe is also a senior public administrator who rose through the civil service to the rank of director. He later held political roles including deputy chief of staff and acting chief of staff at Government House in Yenagoa.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelState officials say his confirmation ensures continuity in government following a period of mourning after Ewhrudjakpo’s sudden death.
The late deputy governor was said to have been carrying out official duties before collapsing on his way to a meeting. He was taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, where he was pronounced dead.
Governor Diri had described the loss as a major blow to the state and ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. He also declared three days of mourning, with flags flown at half-mast.
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Tributes have continued to pour in, including from the Peoples Democratic Party, which praised Ewhrudjakpo as a principled and committed leader.
He served as deputy governor from 2020, after being elected alongside Diri in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
