Ex-governor, DSP Alamieyesiegha, dies at 63; APC behind his death, group alleges

He died Saturday at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where he had been in coma for days.

He was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2005 when he was impeached on corruption charges.

The former governor was succeeded by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who was his deputy and who went on to become Vice President and later President of Nigeria.

Reacting to his demise, a group has fingered the All Progressives Congress (APC) as being to responsible for the passage Chief Alamieyesiegha.

The socio-cultural organisation, Izon Brotherhood in the Diaspora, which made this known in a statement widely distributed to the media from Germany Saturday said the recent extradition notice by the United Kingdom aggravated the health of the former governor and led to his subsequent death.

Alamieyesiegha’s health was said to have deteriorated and he was rushed to a hospital in Port-Harcourt where he slipped into comma as doctors were said to have battled to save his life until he passed on.

Spokesman of the group, Arc. Pere Jones lambasted the APC which he claimed was behind the recent extradition notice that must have aggravated the health of the former Ijaw leader who allegedly died of heart attack.

Jones condemned the alleged role of the APC which reportedly influenced the inclusion of Alamieyesiegha’s name among those wanted by the UK government even after going through the whole legal hurdles of prosecution, conviction and later pardon.

Jones was particularly critical of the role allegedly played by some Ijaw sons whom he accused of working hand-in-hand with the APC to undermine the Ijaw nation.

“Clearly, it’s a shame to all our Ijaw brothers who are in league with the APC, witchhunting and working against their fellow Ijaw brothers ans sisters, being singled out for alleged corruption charges. They should be ashamed of themselves. Frankly no Ijaw man worth his salt should have anything to do with APC. With what they have done to our dear leader, Alamieyesiegha, no right thinking son or daughter of Ijaw extraction should be seen associating with the APC. His death is really unfortunate”, he stated.