The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Peter Akpe as the new Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.

Akpe, who previously served as Chief of Staff at Government House, Yenagoa, was nominated by Governor Douye Diri to fill the vacancy left by the December 2025 death of former Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

A seasoned administrator and politician, Akpe is a former two-term member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. He advanced through the civil service to the rank of Director before assuming senior political roles, including Deputy Chief of Staff and Acting Chief of Staff. He holds a PhD and is also a Christian minister, often addressed as Hon. (Dr) or Pastor Peter Akpe.

Ewhrudjakpo’s death was described by the state government as “with deep regret and profound shock.” According to Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, the Deputy Governor collapsed on his way to a scheduled office meeting and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was later confirmed dead.

In response to the tragedy, Governor Diri declared three days of mourning, ordered flags to fly at half-mast, and described the loss as “a great loss to the Government and people of Bayelsa State and the nation.” He also mandated an autopsy to determine the cause of death and extended condolences to Ewhrudjakpo’s wife, Beatrice, their children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, the Ofoni Federated Community, former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, and the people of Bayelsa State. Ewhrudjakpo served as Deputy Governor from 2020 until his passing, having been elected alongside Governor Diri in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.