Why Alamieyeseigha abandoned foreign treatment, by Dickson

In from Olumide Olaoluwa … .
Even though it may have saved his life, the late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha seemed to have preferred to be at home with his people, than receiving medical attention in a foreign land, and had to abandon his foreign medical trip midway, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, said on Tuesday.
Speaking in an emotion-laden state broadcast in Yenagoa, Dickson said the former governor, who died at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was a victim of orchestrated harassment.
Though the governor did not mention forces behind the harassment, he said the mistreatment led to the untimely death of the Ijaw hero.
He warned against politicising the death of Alamieyeseigha saying that the incident should unite instead of divide the Ijaw nation.
According to the governor: “We acknowledged the anger the genuine sense of anger and disappointment and the sense of outrage held by our people at home and in the Diaspora and all well meaning Nigerians and lovers of justice around the world for the way and manner our leader was harassed pounded and forced to abandon his treatment abroad.
“We condemn in very strong terms the propaganda and the orchestrated harassment that led to his untimely death. However, it is our plea that this is not a time for recrimination and divisions.
“This is rather a time for unity and for sober reflection. I therefore call for all and sundry particularly the youths of this state and of the Niger Deltans and of the Ijaw nation to remain calm and maintain the peace as we all unite and grieve to mourn our departed leader.”
Dickson also announced the postponement of the official inauguration of his governorship campaign scheduled for Saturday in Yenagoa in honour of Alamieyeseigha.

Read also: Alamieyeseigha’s last moment, by family

He noted that the country and particularly the Ijaw nation had lost a foremost statesman and leader adding that the state government was determined to give Alamieyeseigha a befitting state burial.
He said: “The state government is determined to accord him a befitting state burial.
“In this regard, a high powered burial committee led by the Deputy Governor has been constituted.
“This committee will work out details of the programme with the family and other relevant stakeholders.”
He said Alamieyeseigha served the nation as a military officer and dedicated himself to passionate and committed service to Bayelsa and the entire Ijaw nation as governor and in other capacities.
“His selfless devotion and service to Bayelsa State and the entire Ijaw nation earned him the sobriquet, Governor-General of the ijaw nation in his lifetime,” he said.
He said condolence registers had been opened in Government House, the state secretariat complex, Ijaw House in Yenagoa and the state liaison offices in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt in honour of the deceased.

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