Bayelsans will always remain grateful to Abacha - Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said his home state, Bayelsa, will always remain grateful to late former head of state, General Sani Abacha, for creating a homogenous state out of the former Rivers Star in 1996.

Jonathan, while speaking during the 30th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa state and the award ceremony in Yenagoa on Thursday night, October 1, 2026, dedicated his award to his late boss and political mentor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who brought him into politics as a deputy governor.

He further stated that despite the cynicism of many young people, who ask what Bayelsa had to celebrate at 30, the state had made significant progress.

“Although we have not reached where we are supposed to be, I am happy where we are. I am happy that Bayelsa State was created, and we have gained tremendously. Most people might not know, we have gained tremendously following the creation of the state," he said.

"Bayelsans will always remain grateful to late Gen. Sani Abacha who made it possible for Bayelsa to be among the last six states he created.”

He equally commended Governor Diri for organising the anniversary and honouring those who laboured for the creation and development of the state.

Also speaking, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, paid tribute to Abacha, expressing gratitude on behalf of the Ijaw nation for the creation of Bayelsa on October 1, 1996.

Governor Diri said Gen. Abacha deserved continuous commendation for the gesture as he freed the Ijaw people from oppression and injustice.

Governor Diri emphasised that mentioning Abacha’s name in all his remarks was significant, explaining that the late Head of State might mean different things to different people, but to Bayelsans, he was the one who freed them by creating a homogeneous Ijaw state.

"If at every point in my remarks I keep calling him, it is because of what God used him to do for the Ijaw ethnic nationality. As I said yesterday, General Abacha might mean different things to different people, but to Bayelsans, he is the one who freed us from oppression.

"He freed us from injustice and gave a homogenous state for a people that had been balkanised into various states, and making us minority in some.”

Late Abacha, Jonathan, Major Isaac Adaka Boro, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, former military administrators of the state, including the late Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), Navy Captain Phillip Ayeni (rtd), Police Commissioner Habu Daura (rtd) and Col. Edor Obi (rtd) as well as the immediate past governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, were honoured at the event.