Posted by From John Iwori in Yenagoa on
Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha yesterday returned to the state capital, Yenagoa, amidst jubilation by residents and supporters who trooped out in numbers to catch a glimpse of the man crowned Governor -general of the Ijaw nation by the Abonema Council of Chiefs in Akukutoru Local Government Area of Rivers State in 2002.
Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha yesterday returned to the state capital, Yenagoa, amidst jubilation by residents and supporters who trooped out in numbers to catch a glimpse of the man crowned Governor -general of the Ijaw nation by the Abonema Council of Chiefs in Akukutoru Local Government Area of Rivers State in 2002.
As early as 4am when the governor arrived his ancestral home in Amassoma in Southern Local Government Area, a mammoth crowd of men, women and children thronged the governor's palatial residence to confirm their curiosity that Alamieyeseigha had actually arrived home from London where he is facing a three count charge of money laundering.
In a brief chat with newsmen, the retired Squadron Leader turned politician thanked the people of the state for their solidarity and support for his administration since he was arrested by the Special Unit of the London Metropolitan Police on September 15, 2005.
'I cannot thank you enough. You have shown that the mandate you gave me to govern you was not a stolen one. The battle is not yet over but God willing, we shall get there", he said.
Apparently responding to questions in certain quarters on the circumstances surrounding how he left Britain for Nigeria, Alamieyeseigha who was flanked by his kinsmen and close aides said: 'I don't know how I got to Yenagoa. How I arrived Yenagoa is a mystery. We shall talk further at the appropriate time. For now, I wish to register my profound gratitude and appreciation for your love and solidarity.
'It is when you are in trouble you will really appreciate those who love and those who hate you. Man is nothing because God still remains God. Therefore I don't want any man to take His glory. The whole glory goes to the almighty", he said to the intermittent applause of his numerous loyalists and supporters.
On the immediate task before him as he take charge of affairs at Creek Haven, the Bayelsa State Government seat of power, the governor said he will rally round all the people that have defected since he was arrested more than two months ago.
His words: 'Not everybody can be able to withstand pressure. So I understand why many people have left town. When a shepherd is not around, the flock will definitely scatter. Therefore my immediate task is to bring everybody back to the fold. That has to be done without delay because a lot of waters has passed under the bridge since this problem started"
Shortly after, the governor left for the state capital, Yenagoa where several other supporters in motley of cars and buses joined his convoy.
As they move at a slow speed along the Amassoma - Yenagoa - Etegwe Road, they were joined by a huge crowd who were ceaselessly singing praises of Alamieyeseigha, even as some condemned President Olusegun Obasanjo for what they called 'the selective war on corruption".
When the governor's convoy got to Yenagoa-Mbiama Road, the only access road to Bayelsa State, it became almost impossible to move along the road.
At Government House main gate, Alamieyeseigha, as if he is still in the military, inspected a guard of honour manned by policemen in full ceremonial attire to the admiration of the crowd
Thereafter, he addressed the crowd in his Ijaw native tongue to the consternation of non-indigenes, especially journalists who came from far and near to cover the event.