Me, a drug dealer? Never!
By FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
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•Chief
Abel Ebifemowe
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Chief Abel Ebifemowei, cousin and adviser to Governor Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha on Youths, Government House, Transport and
Logistics, is a dedicated student of Robert Green’s
48 laws of power. He is enamoured with law six and, therefore,
does not find it difficult to associate his name with scandals.
Indeed, Ebifemowei does not shy away from courting attention.
Lately, his name featured prominently in several controversies.
But Ebifemowei, also known as Osuwo I of Bayelsa (Heavy rain),
believe he is being misunderstood. In an interactive session
with journalists in Yenagoa, he absolved himself of gunrunning
and drug dealings, alleging that his political opponents were
peddling the allegations.
He denied eyeing the deputy governorship seat in 2007, but
quickly added: “I won’t reject it if offered”.
He took time to shed more light on his relationship with Timi
Alabie and Matthew Karimo. On the coronation of his cousin
as king, Ebifemowei explained: “In 1976, my uncle won
election as king. Then Alamieyeseigha had just left the NDA
and I was in primary six. But our uncle won that time. Now
for anybody to say it was because we are in power to have
influence Oweipa Jones Ere’s election is erroneous.”
And typical of his character as a lover of controversy, Ebifemowei
declared he wouldn’t support the aspirations of incumbent
deputy governor to take over from Alamieyeseigha. And while
justifying the power that presently resides in their family,
he argued that it is not out of place for a political dynasty
to be established in Bayelsa.
Drug allegation
Sometime in 2000, I had a nightclub named Dazzles Nightclub.
That club gave fun to Bayelsans. Before that, nightlife in
Bayelsa was at the nadir. Every Friday, people moved out and
headed for Port Harcourt to spend the weekend. And as somebody
that derives joy when people are happy, I started the club.
Little did I know that some Bayelsans were not happy. They
petitioned National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that
I was using the nightclub to sell drugs. I decided to shut
it down.
I am worried now that a group of politicians in the state
who want power by all means in 2007 are gathering petitions
from Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, Southern Ijaw, Yenagoa, Brass,
Nembe and Ogbia against me and my political associates to
NDLEA again that I am dealing in drugs.
But as far as I am concerned, I don’t smoke cigarette,
I have never taken Indian hemp. I have never had any drug
dealing in my life. Bayelsans should be told that if there
is any intention to drag my name in the mud, let it not be
arms and drug-related issues.
Those angling to take over power should gird their loins and
be ready to campaign in the creeks and win the elections.
There is no shortcut to power. There is enough time for any
candidate to go around the state rather than label Ebifemowei
and his political associates as drug dealers.
Bayelsa Volunteers
Bayelsa Volunteers was formed by the Bayelsa State Government
to secure our waterways. And because it has to do with youths
to secure the waterways I was requested to coordinate their
activities. I would say since its creation the waterways are
safe. We have not recorded any incident of sea-piracy.
The state government spends about N40 million monthly on the
volunteers. This covers hiring of speedboat, maintenance and
camp, feeding and little stipend for the members. The waterways
are quite safe and I pray it remains so.
I don’t procure arms and don’t distribute them..
Volunteers don’t carry arms. There are 28 camps of volunteers
and none carries arms.
Timi Alaibe, Matthew Karimo and Goodluck Jonathan
The relationship between Matthew Karimo and me is very cordial.
I am close to him and anything he wants me to do for him,
I would do. He is one man I have learnt lessons from and come
to appreciate. I don’t have problem with him. At anytime
he requests for my assistance, whether politically or morally,
I give him my support. And if Karimo will contest against
anybody including my family members and the incumbent deputy
governor I will support him.
As for Timi Alaibe, we are from the same Opokuma clan. My
grandmother is from Opokuma clan. In fact, she and Alaibe
are from the same ward. He has never told me that he is contesting.
Therefore, the idea of backing him against anybody does not
arise.
Timi Alaibe and I maintain a good relationship. He is Executive
Director at Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), doing
his best, while I am here in Bayelsa battling with my youths.
Therefore, there is no basis for us to work together except
that we are from the same clan. I am close to him but closer
to Matthew Karimo.
Election of king
The Southern Ijaw Local Government chairman wrote to the governor
that there was a vacant stool in the local government, and
that the people were crying that they were not well represented
since the demise of the last royal majesty. The governor approved
an election, asking the chairman to liase with the commissioner
for local government and chieftaincy bureau and the communities
in his kingdom to conduct a democratic election.
It is even undemocratic for a stool to be vacant for so long.
The chairman, commissioner and the communities met and an
electoral college was set up. Not with outsiders, but within
the communities - Amatolo, Amassoma and Otuan. The communities
concerned were duly represented. Interested candidates were
requested to buy forms.
The price was N500,000, but I kicked against it because people
would insinuate that it was a deliberate ploy to shut out
some people. It was reduced to N200, 000. At the expiration
of the deadline for the sale of forms, my cousin, King Oweipa
Jones Ere, was the only candidate. The deadline was extended,
yet nobody came out and he was elected unopposed.
Our rulership is not hereditary. My uncle won election in
1976 as king. Governor Alamieyeseigha had just left the NDA
while I was in primary six. But our uncle won that time. Now
for anybody to say because we are in power and therefore influenced
the election of King Oweipa Jones Ere is erroneous. Of course,
our family doesn’t lose elections, any election we contest
we win.
Political dynasty
It was written in the Bible that nobody should touch my anointed.
God blessed Abraham; all his descendants were equally blessed.
If other parts of the country can produce the Dangotes, Adedibus,
Sarakis and Yar’Aduas, it is not out of place for any
family to be blessed in Bayelsa.
And if my family is chosen, I don’t think it is wrong.
There is nothing wrong if a family shoots out from Bayelsa.
There are so many governors that have cousins but if my hard
work earns me anything I don’t think it is wrong. And
if the family I belong to continues to win elections, there
is nothing wrong with it.
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