Former Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha dies at 63

Former Bayelsa Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha has passed away of cardiac arrest at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, after slipping into coma two days ago and was placed on life support, according to a statement by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Esueme Dan-Kikili. He was 63.

Former National Youth Leader of the Alliance Congress of Nigeria ACN, Comrade Ebikibina Miriki described the passing away of the first civilain governor of Bayelsa State as a big blow to the Ijaw nation.

''The death of Chief Alamieyeseigha at this critical moment of building a virile and Restoration state is sad, painful and a great loss not only to the state, people and communities in the Southern ljaw LGA, but to the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a nation,'' he said. ''No doubt, late Alamieyeseigha, is a truly a proud ljaw man, who stood for the truth, defend the rights of his people and the down trodden, fearless, down to earth and have a lion heart to accommodate all, despite the conspiracy and betrayal of many who conspired with the federal might, to silence his rising political profile. Bayelsa had lost a rare gem and a true ljaw son.''

We send our thoughts and condolences to Alamieyeseigha's loved ones during this difficult time.