Niger Delta Crisis; FG woos Alamieyeseigha
Following his release from prison at the weekend, the Federal Government is set to engage former governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, in its peace moves in the restive Niger Delta, THISDAY has learnt.
The Federal Government, it was gathered, entered into negotiations with the former governor to provide a soft landing for him because it realised that he was one of those that held the ace to the final resolution of the Niger Delta crisis.
�It was part of the deal. Government would negotiate with him and secure freedom for him so he can be part of moves to resolve the crisis. Government knows Alamieyeseigha is very crucial to the resolution of the problems in the Niger Delta,� said a source in Abuja.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND) and other militant groups in the area had earlier listed the release of the former governor as one of the conditions for peace in the area.
THISDAY also learnt that the British authorities had earlier advised the Federal Government to involve the former governor if it was serious about achieving a lasting peace in the region.
Alamieyeseigha is expected to work hand-in-hand with the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who has made the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis his major task and has relocated to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital for the assignment.
The vice president had met his former boss in Lagos two weeks ago where the deal to negotiate freedom for the former governor was struck.
Last Thursday, the former Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Muhammed Shuaib, handed down a two-year jail term on each of the six-count charges.
But the terms were to run concurrently from the day of his first arrest on December 9, 2005.
Alamieyeseigha was, however, released by the prison authorities last Friday and was said to have moved into his residence at Reverend Akinbiyi Road, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ikeja, Lagos.
Ha! After all that hell? This would lend credence to the speculation that his wife and daughter are indeed being held hostage by British authorities
The case against Alamieyeseigha
1 comment:
I do verily believe that that would be the deal. It would be no surprise to me if they are all released in the very near future. Nigeria, grrrrrh! What won't oil purchase, the man, Alams, now calls the shots to determine volume trafficked in oil and when it suits his fancy he can bring mayhem to reign down on that sector. At least, that seems to be what our Federal government is acknowledging. You see am, Alams may yet turn out to be the most powerful man in the country.
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