Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday led a high-powered delegation to the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa to commiserate with his counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, over the sudden death of Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The visit, the first by a sitting governor since Ewhrudjakpo’s passing on December 11, underscored the deep historical, cultural, and political ties between the two Niger Delta states.
Governor Fubara described the late Ewhrudjakpo’s demise as a shared loss, emphasising that solidarity in grief remains a cornerstone of Rivers-Bayelsa relations. He pledged Rivers State’s full support to Bayelsa government and the bereaved family during the burial arrangements.
“The loss is not Bayelsa’s alone; it pains Rivers deeply,” Fubara said, highlighting the unbreakable bonds between the neighbouring states.
In response, Governor Diri expressed profound appreciation for the gesture, noting it reflected mutual respect and a shared destiny.
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He described the late deputy governor as far more than a ceremonial figure, saying Ewhrudjakpo was “part of the four wheels” driving his administration, not “a spare tyre.” Diri said the void left by his deputy was deeply felt, adding that the state awaits autopsy results to determine the cause of death.
Diri also commended the cordial relations with Fubara, praising his mature handling of the Soku oil wells dispute, calling him “an undying people’s governor.”
The two governors later visited the late deputy’s lodge to console his widow, who hails from Rivers State, assuring her of continued support.
