Special report… Alamieyesegha: Beyond the tales of corruption

In from Timothy Enietan-Matthews (Nation’s capital) … .

The death of a former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief DSP Alamiesighia on Friday, the 10th of October, came to many as a shock. Shock, because not many Nigerians were privy to whatever health challenges the ebullient politician of colours may have been battling with or the circumstances that finally led to his demise.

It is a general belief the world over that death does not respect persons, no matter how highly or lowly placed you may be. When the time comes, the invitee must answer the call. If death could have a little respect for persons, many would have wished DSP was spared the invitation to the great beyond.

DSP, the famed Governor General of the Ijaw Nation, was a man that meant different things to different people. What he meant depended most largely on the political leaning of the individual appraising him and what he thinks.

DSP was a man widely vilified by a large section of Nigerians, especially those who are opposed to his political association and inclination. This has been widely shown in the comments and reactions that have trailed the news of his demise, especially on social media.

For many, the late DSP should and could only be remembered for his infamous arrest by the UK police, his alleged jumping of bail, his impeachment as governor of Bayelsa and subsequent prosecution and conviction. However, a closer look at the life and political career of DSP shows that he meant much more to so many others, especially the Ijaw nation.

Those who followed the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and DSP’s tenure as governor, will attest to the fact that the late Governor-General of the Ijaw nation was a solid rock and a rallying point for the people of the Niger Delta, especially in their quest for resource control.

After he left office and out of prison, DSP was credited with great input into the successful negotiation of amnesty for Niger Delta militants, a situation that aided great improvement in Nigeria’s daily crude oil output.

This much was repeated by Senator Ben Bruce in his eulogy to the late governor. According to Bruce, DSP travelled the creeks to negotiate with the heavily armed militants, convincing them to lay down their arms and accept government’s proposal. This was said to have been done at great risk of personal harm.

On the political front, the late governor was a bridge builder who reached out to others all over the country in such a way that endeared him to many. For his efforts, the Katsina Emirate conferred him with one the highest traditional titles in the emirate.

Speaking on Alamiesigha, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said he was an astute politician who protected the interest of the Ijaw.

The Turaki Adamawa praised the late Alamieyeseigha for being a worthy ambassador of the Ijaw and for contributing his quota to serving the nation and the development of democracy.

He said: “No one can dispute the fact that the late Governor-General of the Ijaw, as he was fondly called, stood firm like a rock in preserving the interest of the Ijaw, and was a strong supporter of democratic governance in Nigeria.

“The news of the demise of Alamieyeseigha came to me, as with many Nigerians, as a rude shock. He was a true leader of the Ijaw and contributed his quota to the development of Bayelsa State when he was governor.

“I recall with fond memories the deep appreciation the late Alamieyeseigha had for democratic governance in Nigeria. Irrespective of the divergent opinions of Nigerians about his legacies as the governor of Bayelsa State, Alamieyeseigha died earning the respect and admiration of the people of Bayelsa State and, I dare say, the people of Ijaw land. He was a friend and a brother. Like the people of Bayelsa State, I will miss him, too”, Turaki said.

Read also: Ijaw groups blame APC for Alamieyesegha’s death

Back home in Amasomma, DSP remained the life of the community until his death, making his kinsmen view him as a god.

Speaking on his demise, the acting paramount ruler of Amasomma, Chief Sharp Sogo, said the residents were shocked by the former governor’s death, likening the respect they have for him to that of a god.

Sogo said: “When the sad news filtered into this community, everybody was not happy. Boys, girls, men and women cried. He was one of the best leaders we had in this community. He was just like a father and grandfather to everybody.

“We can’t count the values he added to this community. They are too many to mention. Without him, there couldn’t have been Amasomma. He brought the university and built the roads. Everybody took him like a god.”

For the Ijaw National Council, the umbrella body of Ijaws worldwide, DSP remained the hero of the Ijaw nation.

The group that has declared a seven day mourning for their departed hero, said in a statement: “The Ijaw nation was thrown into grief by the death of Chief Alamieyeseigha, the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation, on Saturday, October 10, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, following a cardiac arrest.

“On behalf of the INC Worldwide, we commensurate with his wife, Margaret, the Alamieyeiseigha family of Amassoma, the Ogboin clan, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and the Government and people of Bayelsa State, on this great tragedy that has befallen the Ijaw.

“May the gentle soul of DSP Alamieyeseigha rest in peace, in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

“In honour of this great, vocal and irrepressible Pan-Ijaw nationalist, we hereby announce seven days of mourning, beginning from October 12. During this period, Ijaw’s flag will fly at half mast.”

The INC further described him as “our great leader and hero”.

Whichever way you look at DSP, it will be agreed that he lived a colourful life that attracted attention where ever he went. He was a man who could not be hidden or overshadowed. He remained a major force in the politics of Bayelsa State and a source of courage for Ijaws.

Notwithstanding the tales of corruption that followed him like bees after honey, DSP touched lives, impacted his community and influenced the politics of his state and nation.

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