D-Gov’s Death: Group Condemns Ebedebiri, Ayamasa Celebrations

The attention of the Tarakiri Elders Council (TEC) has been drawn to the elaborate thanksgiving celebrations especially at Ebedebiri and Ayamasa Communities during the yuletide season despite the sudden death of the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

In a statement issued on Saturday, 10, January, 2026, the clan elders council described the departed deputy governor as an outstanding personality, who made meaningful impacts in so many lives in the clan.

The thanksgiving celebrations in the aforementioned communities that has sparked reactions on social media, has been condemned in strong terms by the kingdom elders council, describing it as insensitive celebrations in a time of mourning.

The group known for peace, unity and togetherness amongst people of the clan, expressed deep displeasure against the elaborate thanksgiving celebrations in a trying time when the whole state is mourning the death of the late deputy governor.

Tarakiri Clan as one of the largest clans in the Niger Delta, is comprised of communities in Bayelsa (Agbere, Ebedebiri, Toru-Orua, Angalabiri, Ayamasa, Isampou, Oweikorogha, Obololi, Emakalakala, Okodi, Ologi, Ayakoro), and Delta (Adobu, Ohoro, Oduophori, Odorubu, Keni-Ebedebiri).

The clan also known as a kingdom with a King (The Pere of Tarakiri) blessed with prominent politicians, recently lost a prominent leader, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who collapsed and gave up the ghost.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who hails from Ofoni community in Sagbama local government area, sharing boundaries with Ayamasa in Ekeremor and Toru-Orua in Sagbama, died on Thursday, 11, December, 2025, yet people from these communities threw parties in barely three weeks.

Sadly, Mr Peter Akpe and Mr Lucky Youbogha, who holds top offices in the government Dr. Ewhrudjakpo served diligently, competently, resourcefully, humbly, dedicatedly as Deputy Governor, organized the elaborate thanksgiving celebrations.

The group addressing reactions on social media of the thanksgiving celebrations, said the celebration took a different dimension perhaps a carnival that seemed celebration of the death of the deputy governor.

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“The deputy governor as a prominent figure, who gave his all in service to the government and the state yet to be buried, every celebration had ought to be suspended as respect and honor for his selfless public services in different capacities.

“The governor and the government had ought to suspend less important activities such thanksgiving, weekly prosperity walk as the number-two man is yet to laid to rest as tradition demands,” the group added.

The group cautioning celebrations of some government officials over the passing of the deputy governor with their boys in assumption of possible nomination, condemned the celebrations in its entirety as the late number-two man is yet to be buried.

The clan elders council cautioning Bayelsans to respect the departed deputy governor, said celebrations in this trying time of mourning should be retained till after the funeral rites has been concluded traditionally.