The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has approved the appointment of Peter Akpe as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Akpe, who previously served as Chief of Staff at Government House in Yenagoa, was nominated by Governor Douye Diri following the vacancy created by the passing of former deputy governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
An experienced public administrator and politician, Akpe is a former two-term lawmaker in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. He advanced through the civil service to attain the position of Director before transitioning into key political roles, including Deputy Chief of Staff and later Acting Chief of Staff.
He holds a PhD and is also recognised as a Christian minister, often addressed as Hon. (Dr) or Pastor Peter Akpe.
Akpe’s confirmation comes months after Ewhrudjakpo’s death in December 2025. In a statement released by the state government, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, announced the development with “deep regret and profound shock”.
“The Deputy Governor was active and carrying out official duties earlier in the day. He collapsed while proceeding to a scheduled meeting within his office and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead,” the statement read.
Governor Diri subsequently declared three days of mourning, directing that flags be flown at half-mast. He described the development as “a great loss to the Government and people of Bayelsa State and the nation” and ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Condolences were extended to the late deputy governor’s wife, Beatrice, his children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, the Ofoni Federated Community, former governor Henry Seriake Dickson, and residents of the state, with prayers offered for strength and comfort.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also paid tribute, describing Ewhrudjakpo as “a principled and consistent politician… a person of conviction, not convenience; a leader whose life was anchored on belief, integrity and strength of character”.
Ewhrudjakpo served as deputy governor from 2020 until his death, having been elected alongside Diri in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.