~ Barr. Igbeta Ayebakuro,PhD
…Express Strong belief in Diri to continue Lawrence’s legacy and carry his people along.
Niger Delta affairs commentator and one time Legal Adviser of the Ijaw Youths Council Barr. Ayebakuro Igbeta PhD has described as humane and considerate Gov. Douye Diri’s handling of the vacancy in state’s political/administrative architecture following the sudden demise of the Deputy Governor Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Igbeta a political godson of the late deputy governor made his remarks when newsmen paid him an unscheduled visit at his residence at Opolo for his thoughts on the current political atmosphere and update on the preparations for the burial of Late Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. Responding, Barr. Igbeta expressed that today is exactly 1month and he is still mourning his late father and had not really been focused on the political scene as this sudden exit of his principal has required him to rethink several life choices and reflect more deeply on the path now before him, however Igbeta states that he is neither the spokesman of the Ewhrudjakpo family nor the right person to speak for the Bayelsa state government on the issue of burial plans, but that to the best of his knowledge talking to relevant people in authority and the family, the public is assured that the family and the government are working hand-in-hand to make public the official burial programme and then all concerned members of the public may fully do their part to pay their last respect to a man that was widely loved. Speaking on, Igbeta remarked that although he is not personally close to His Excellency the Governor of Bayelsa State, he sincerely appreciates how Gov. Diri has handled so well the present hollow, as Governor Douye Diri has demonstrated that Lawrence was not just a subordinate or a colleague but a true friend and ally in whom he was well pleased thus will find difficult to just replace.
“We all can now see that Diri actually meant every word and each time he said Lawrence was his dependable, loyal, efficient and workaholic comrade, Diri has showcased his deep love and commitment to Lawrence by not hastily nominating a replacement, rather has given the state the chance to mourn her loss and by deeds and actions showed the world the bond shared between him and his late friend and comrade-in-arms, we see how the governor has responsibly and respectedly carried along the Ewhrudjakpo family in all events the public sees as the elder brother of the late Deputy Governor is brought in to fill the immediate void at all state functions and gatherings. This shows humanity and duty, it shows compassion and shares respect” Igbeta is quoted in part.
Speaking further, Ayebakuro Igbeta thanked the Governor for the call not to politicize the death of his late deputy, as he is pained and feels the vacuum, saying that he may never recover from the shock of losing Lawrence whose unannounced exit has left huge shoes that are difficult to fit in by just anybody. Expressing that as servants of the Prosperity Government directly under Lawrence he (Igbeta) understand the sacrifices Lawrence was making to ensure the government succeeds, Lawrence is known to take steps and measures outside of his assigned official duties and allocated resources, expending personal resources to incorporate as many Bayelsans as he can handle to get the right participation of the public no matter how distant nor complex.
It is therefore Igbeta’s call that when the time comes for the governor to nominate, a person of trust, character and loyalty to the ASSURED PROSPERITY AGENDA should be nominated to carry on from where Lawrence ebbed out, the person should also be courageous to attend to state matters as personal, Bayelsans according to Igbeta saw how lawrence gave everything to ensure stability of government and flow of relationship between the government and people the people, thus nomination of deputy governor should be given the right painstaking attention rather than a hasty flippant political action to fill a vacuum.
“For me personally I understand what personal contributions Lawrence was making, I know for instance how he had a retinue of persons under his personal monthly financial support, some of these were payments he was making as far back as 2013 and which were not on paper, he was sustaining so many former big men that we may not want to call names here and most of these were undocumented and ongoing as at the time I got to know him personally, and continue till his dying day. I am not saying some of these things to make saint of my mentor and father, but so that the public can understand that the man placed priority on people (especially Youths) development rather than greed and wealth accumulation” Igbeta continued
The popular youth leader and Secretary General of the Centre for Youths Development went ahead to thank the Governor for maintaining the legacies of his late friend and brother choosing not to interfere with primary structure of the Deputy Governor’s wing of the Creek Haven, for instance the continued retention of the Deputy Chief-of-Staff (Deputy Governor’s Office) Hon. Gowon and other staff of the wing who understand how Lawrence worked, is a pointer to Gov. Diri’s commitments.
Igbeta also thanked Chief-of-Staff Government House Hon. Peter Akpe for volunteering his time, energy and resources to the service of the state receiving the pressure of government and liaising and supporting the Deputy Chief-of-Staff (Deputy Governor’s Office) to ensure smooth sail in every aspect.
Igbeta concluded with a call on the Governor to continue to remember some who have served the government through the late Deputy Governor.
“It is our appeal to His Excellency the Governor not to abandon some of us, because with Lawrence gone we have become like orphans may rely on the grace of the governor, and we will also continue to rely on his magnanimity, going forward”
On the issue of burial preparations, Igbeta said on his own minor arrangements, he has some activities lined beginning with a candle light procession, but all will be made public after official announcement from the State Government, the Family and the burial committee.
