Prominent Nigerian leaders gathered in Yenagoa on Friday to pay glowing tributes to the first Governor of Bayelsa State, the late Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, on the occasion of his 10th memorial anniversary, with calls for a restructuring of the Nigerian federation.
The event, held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, saw the current Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, lead dignitaries in eulogising the former governor as a fearless leader whose ideologies have evolved into a potent movement for change.
Governor Diri described Alamieyeseigha as a pivotal figure who "stood for truth, justice, and environmental rights for his people," asserting that the late governor's fight for resource control, true federalism, and good governance remains more relevant than ever.
In a passionate address that critiqued the current structure of the nation, Governor Diri pointed to the disparities in resource allocation and political representation.
"If we want this country to develop, you cannot use the resources from one region to create more local government areas in another region and starve the area from where these resources are coming from. That is not federalism," he said.
He urged a return to the principles of federalism practised by nations Nigeria often emulates, saying, "Let us look at how federalism is practised in every other clime. The United States that we are copying, the states pay taxes to the centre from their resources, they even have their state electoral commission."
Echoing Governor Diri’s sentiments, a close friend of the late icon and former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, celebrated Alamieyeseigha’s unwavering courage.
Ibori noted that the former Bayelsa helmsman consistently acted on his convictions, especially in his fierce defence of the Niger Delta people and their rights.
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Late D.S.P Alamieyeseigha. |
The memorial lecture, a key part of the event, was delivered by Professor Ibaba Samuel Ibaba. Titled "In The Niger Delta Voice, Through Nigeria's Soul: Federalism, Resource Control, And The Contemporary Nigerian State In The Alamieyeseigha Legacies," the discourse provided an academic framework for the political ideals the late governor championed.
The event was attended by a high-profile gathering, including the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; the former governor of the old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; the wife of the late governor, Mrs Margaret Alamieyeseigha; and a former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rtd Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also present were members of the State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei, and other top government functionaries.
Alamieyeseigha served as the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State from May 1999 until his impeachment in December 2005. He died on October 10, 2015, at the age of 62.
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