The Executive Governor of Imo, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who is also the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum was among the dignitaries that attended the burial of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Late Chief Diepriye Alamieyeseigha.
Born on November 16, 1952 in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa state, Alamieyeseigha was a die-hard supporter of former president Jonathan and Governor 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. Alamieyeseigha was however pardoned by ex-President Jonathan after he was convicted of stealing Bayelsa state funds while he was governor.
Making his condolence speech, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said :
“Despite the difference in our parties, I am here to pay tribute to a great man, may his soul rest in peace. I am happy our political leaders are beginning to embrace Christ because this is a time we need to be closer to him.”
“God is going to judge each and every one of us according to our deeds, starting with the clerics. If he takes three months to judge the clerics, he will take two month to judge our former presidents.
For us the governors he’ll take two months to judge us, while he will use one month to judge those in the House of Assembly. He’s going to use one week to judge our traditional leaders but you my people and the masses, he’s just going to let the gate of heaven open on to you,” .
It is worthy to note that the last paragraph went a long way in calming the tension of agony among the mourners as people broke out in laughter.
Other dignitaries were the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who described him thus:
“I don’t want to take much our time because of the bad weather. But like I have always said, my relationship with the late Alamieyeseigha was that of a younger brother and older brother.”
“He brought to us the Niger-Delta University (NDU). I would describe him as a man with vision, champion for peace, unity and social integration,” Jonathan added.
Others include the Acting National Chairman of PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff said:
“The late Alamieyeseigha was a very good friend of mine while I was still the governor of Borno state. I can remember my first visit in Bayelsa in 1999. On getting to the state, I was surprised to see that this is the state that produces half of the nation’s oil.
“The late Alamieyeseigha always told me his people were marginalized and I believed when I got to see it myself. He was a real gem and a true keeper of his people. On behalf of myself and the entire PDP leaders, we are going to make sure the people of Bayelsa state are no longer marginalized.
“The late former governor was a real hero, who championed the emancipation of his people and may his soul rest in peace.”
Sadly none of the governors of all the nine Niger Delta states, the oil-producing area, for which cause the late politician became popular, was present at the ceremony, except the governor of Imo State, Mr Rochas Okorocha.
Apart from Okorocha, whose arrival elicited a loud ovation, governors of the region who were absent at the occasion were the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Cross River Governor, Prof Ben Ayade.
Other governors who neither attended nor had any representative at the event were
Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State ; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia; his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Udom Emmanuel and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State
