Alamieye-seigha ex-Bayelsa gov, dies at 62

THE  pioneer  civilian  governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieye-seigha, is dead.

Fondly called DSP and Governor General of Ijaw Nation, when he held sway at Creek Haven, the Bayelsa seat of power, Alamieyeseigha was reported to have died after a brief illness at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

According to family sources, the former governor, though diabetic, developed an unexplained ailment at his hometown, Amassoma, in Southern Ijaw council area of Bayelsa State, and was rushed to the  teaching hospital where he was on life support machine but lost the will to live between 4.30 and 5pm yesterday.

While some said he died of kidney related ailment, others blamed his death on cardiac arrest.

Aged  62, Alamieyeseigha was granted presidential pardon by his erstwhile deputy, former President Goodluck, over his conviction  for corrupt practices as  governor of Bayelsa.

A family source, who spoke anonymously, told Sunday Vanguard the alleged recent request for his extradition by the UK may have triggered blood pressure believed to be the cause of death.

His remains, according to the source, had been deposited at the morgue of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

The alleged  request by the UK for his extradition has been a subject debate in recent times with many Ijaw groups describing it as a political vendetta by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The former governor has been a strong advocate of Governor Seriake Dickson second term aspiration.

Bayelsa State government, last night, confirmed Alamieyeseigha’s death. The State Commissioner for Information, Esueme Dan-Kikile, said a full statement would be issued later on the demise.