Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Is Dead

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of Bayelsa state, is dead.

Vanguard reports that Alamieyeseigha slipped into a coma two days ago and was placed on life support.

Esueme Dan-Kikili, the Bayelsa state commissioner for information, confirmed that the former governor had died after a cardiac arrest.

According to family sources, Alamieyeseigha suddenly fell ill in his hometown in Ammassoma township of Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa and was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where he died at age 62.

His remains, according to a source at the UPTH, were later moved to the mortuary in the hospital.

When contacted by The Punch correspondent, the chief medical director, Professor Aaron Ojule, declined to speak on the matter. He directed the newsman to the family of the late former governor.

However, speaking on the tragic incident, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the chief press secretary to Bayelsa governor, said: “Bayelsa State Government commiserates with his wife, Margret, his immediate family, the Alamieyeseighas, the entire people of the state. The Ijaw nation has indeed lost a rare gem.”

Alamieyeseigha was a die-hard supporter of the former president Goodluck Jonathan and the incumbent governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson.

He was once accused of corruption and allegedly disguised himself as a woman in London in order to evade arrest over charges of money laundering and was later impeached as the governor.

The United Kingdom had in 2013 requested for his extradition to the country to face trial but Jonathan did not grant the request. The administration then granted him a presidential pardon.

The British government again sought the support of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to extradite Alamieyeseigha to London for trial on alleged money laundering.

The request by the UK government has, however, been a subject of criticism as Ijaw groups and political leaders had described it as suspicious and a political vendetta by the President Buhari administration.

Alameisegha, who was popularly known as "Governor-General of Ijaw Nation" was born on November 16, 1952 in Amassoma, Ogboin North local government area of Bayelsa state.

READ ALSO: Corrupt Or Saint, Death Is Inevitable – Nigerians React To Alamieyeseigha’s Demise

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He attended the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School in Yenagoa. In 1974 he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a cadet officer and then the Nigerian Air Force, where he served in the department of Logistics and Supply.

Alamieyeseigha held various air force positions in Enugu, Markurdi, Kaduna and Ikeja. In 1992 he retired from the air force as a squadron leader.

After leaving the air force, he became the sole administrator of Pabod Supplies Port Harcourt. Later he became head of budget, planning, research and development of the National Fertiliser Company.

In May 1999 Alamieyeseigha was elected governor of Bayelsa state and was re-elected in 2003.

Source: Legit.ng