2016 Bayelsa Governorship election: Alamieyeseigha returns

There are strong indications that a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, is seeking to govern Bayelsa State again.

It was learnt on Monday that this time around, Alamieyeseigha, who in his first tenure, was called ‘Governor General of Niger Delta,’ wishes to actualise his ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

It was also learnt that a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Timi Alaibe, is interested in the governorship ticket of the APC for the 2016 governorship election in the state as well.

Others said to be eyeing the party’s tickets were a leader of the APC and a former Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva; a former Commissioner for Health, Chief Frank Akpoebi; a Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknow Igali, and APC state Chairman, Mr. Tiwe Oruminighe.

It was further learned that Mr. Preye Aganaba, who recently lost his senatorial ambition, was being propelled by the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to go for the party’s governorship ticket.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Alameseigha, the first elected civilian governor of the state, was seriously staging a comeback to the Creek Haven, Bayelsa Government House, on APC platform.

The source claimed the former governor and Igali were plotting to wrest power from the incumbent Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

Alamieyeseigha became the first civilian governor of the state in 1999 and was re-elected for a second term in 2003.

He was later enmeshed in serious allegations of corruption and money laundering, leading to his impeachment by the state House of Assembly.

The former governor was subsequently prosecuted and convicted.

But he was pardoned by President Goodluck Jonathan, who described him as his political benefactor.

The source said, “Alamieseigha is eyeing the governorship seat. His plan is to make a grand return to the seat of power in 2016. To this end, he has been holding a series of meetings with some APC stalwarts.

“He is assuring the APC leadership that with him as governor, the militants will feel comfortable. He is saying that the incumbent governor is not liked by ex-militants, citing the clash between the governor and ex-militants over pipeline contracts,” he said.