Posted by By FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa on
Barely 24 hours after former governor of Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, issued a statement distancing himself....
Barely 24 hours after former governor of Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, issued a statement distancing himself from the activities of militant groups in the Niger Delta region, the Ijaw Youth Council, (IYC) has warned of dire consequences in the region if the former governor dies.
The group, in a statement issues by its president, Comrade Oyeinfe Jonjon, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital, while frowning at the allegations leveled against Alamieyeseigha by the Federal Government, pointed out that Ijaw nation would not watch "idly" if the former governor dies in detention without medical attention.
According to him, the continued denial of Alamieyeseigha appropriate medical attention was not in the best interest of the country. He added that the council was scandalized at the magnitude of lies the government is dishing out to the public so that Alamieyeseigha would remain incarcerated.
"It is inconceivable that the Federal Government and her internationally renowned agency of persecution, EFCC, could stoop so low in their fight against the former governor and alluded that he is behind the present struggle in the Niger Delta region," Jonjon explained.
The IYC stated that the allegation of "threat to the life of Malam Nuhu Ribadu and the so-called juju," which is being linked to Alamieyeseigha, was ridiculous.
It noted that the persecution of Alamieyeseigha has moved from the normal judicial level with the allegation that a man incarcerated in the hospital with all his assets seized is involved in militant activities.
The group wondered how a man surrounded by at least six security personnel could discuss war plans with militants and even "tell them where to get access to funds to enable them prosecute their activities," and security agents guarding him would not know.
IYC therefore, demanded the unconditional release of the former governor and Alhaji Asari Dokubo if the government is unable to establish a case against them.
Consequently, it declared that the "Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta will not watch idly while Chief Alamieyeseigha and Alhaji Asari are made to become MKO Abiola or Shehu Yar'Adua who died in detention in highly questionable circumstances."