Diepreye Alamieyeseigha

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was a Nigerian politician who was the first elected governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 to 2005. He was a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and a close ally of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was his deputy governor. He was popularly known as DSP, an acronym for his name. He had a military background, having joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a cadet officer in 1974 and served in the Nigerian Air Force until 1992. He also had a business career, working as the sole administrator of Pabod Supplies Port Harcourt and the head of budget, planning, research and development of the National Fertiliser Company (NAFCON). He was widely regarded as the "governor-general of the Ijaw nation", a title that reflected his influence and charisma among his people. He initiated several development projects in Bayelsa State, such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and electrification. He also advocated for the rights and interests of the Niger Delta region, which was plagued by environmental degradation, poverty, and militancy. He was re-elected for a second term in 2003. However, his political career was marred by allegations of corruption and money laundering. He was arrested in London in 2005 after the Metropolitan police found about £1.8 million in cash and bank accounts and four homes worth £10 million. He was charged with money laundering but he escaped from the UK by allegedly disguising himself as a woman. He was later impeached by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and removed from office in 2005. He was tried and convicted in Nigeria in 2007 and sentenced to two years in prison on each of the six charges. He forfeited most of his assets to the Bayelsa State government. He claimed that he only pleaded guilty because of his age and that he was a victim of political persecution. He was granted presidential pardon by Jonathan in 2013, a move that sparked controversy and criticism. He remained active in politics until his death in 2015. He died of cardiac arrest at the age of 62. He was buried in his hometown of Amassoma amid tributes and condolences from his supporters and admirers.