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A chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Chief Perekeme Richard-Kpodoh, in this interview says it was wrong for Alamieyeseigha to have jumped bail in London. Excerpts:
A chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Chief Perekeme Richard-Kpodoh, in this interview says it was wrong for Alamieyeseigha to have jumped bail in London. Excerpts:
How do you see the escape of Alamieyeseigha from London?
It is shocking for an elected governor of a state to escape and return to Nigeria. It is a shame. This is the highest level of embarrassment that one can bring to himself and his people. He should be ashamed of himself. He has already proved himself guilty by running away. What has happened is a vindication of our cry that the man has been using our money as he likes.
There is this argument that Alamieyeseigha would not have gotten a fair hearing given the appearance of the Minister of Justice in the London court to testify against him.
If you are arguing against the appearance of the Attorney General of the Federation in the London Court, what was the business of the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State in London? He was there to lie to the court to the effect that Bayelsans were eagerly waiting for the return of the governor and that they could cause riot if he was not released at once.
It is understood why you do not seem to support the governor because you lost the 2003 election to him. Are you saying that Alamieyeseigha has not performed?
Let me tell you the truth. There is nothing to be proud of about the tenure of the man. Let him tell us what he has been doing with the huge resources that have been accruing to the state. He hardly stays up to a month in the state. He is always going abroad, claiming to be scouting for foreign investors. How many foreign investors has he brought to Bayelsa State?
The governor claims he has done so much for the state since he took over in 1999.
Okay, if he has done so much for the state why do the people want him to go? In Bayelsa State today, there is no road, light and water and he is claiming that he has done well. What are the indices of his performance? We still have temporary structures all over the place with the huge amount we are getting monthly from the Federation Account. Is that performance? This state receives at least N6 billion monthly, if anyone says he has performed he should give account of what he has been doing.
What about the claim by the governor that he is being persecuted because he is being an Ijaw man?
Don't mind him. The Federal Government does not hate any Ijaw man. It is those who commit crimes that are pursued in accordance with the law. There are very honourable and well respected Ijaw people in this administration, who are doing very well.
But those Ijaw people, who have the penchant for stealing, must be prosecuted because we don't want them to teach our younger ones how to steal with impunity. The Ijaw man has a name-IZON, which means the truth. So you don't have to tell lie no matter your position.
My only blame against the Federal Government is that it imposed Alamieyeseigha on Bayelsa. In 2003, Bayelsa people said they did not want the governor, but the PDP insisted on fielding him. Of course, you know that there was no election in Bayelsa.
SUNDAY PUNCH, November 27, 2005