Ex-Bayelsa Senator Inatimi Spiff Dies

Inatimi Spiff, a former Senator representing Bayelsa East and one of the leading politicians in the senatorial district is dead.

Spiff died on 24 December in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP said in a statement.

Spiff, who hailed from Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government of Bayelsa Area was former Secretary to State Government in the Old Rivers State.

He was also Commissioner of Education under Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha’s administration in Bayelsa State before his election as a senator.

The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Ebiye Egoli, announced his death in a statement on Monday.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we received the wrenching news of the sudden passing of our leader, father, friend, brother, and one of the solid pillars of the PDP in Bayelsa State, Distinguished Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff who took ill and was rushed to the hospital in Abuja.

“But unfortunately according to family sources, he could not pull through but passed on to eternal glory.

“Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff, who hails from Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government Area was former Secretary to State Government in the Old Rivers State. He was later appointed Commissioner of Education under Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha’s administration in Bayelsa State and thereafter got elected and served meritoriously as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The late Senator Spiff was an astute politician and excellent administrator, a humble, unassuming personality; renowned grassroot mobilizer who had thrown his full weight behind the current presidential aspiration of the Waziri Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and working assiduously for the success of all our Party’s Candidates in the forthcoming general elections in the State.

“The statement further adds that this sudden, untimely, unexpected tragedy has thrown us, not only into utter grief and mourning, but has shocked us beyond words and left a gaping vacuum in our ranks, especially at this auspicious time when his ebullient presence and boisterous good nature, is needed to bolster and position us to kickstart our comprehensive statewide campaigns expected to commence soon to put us ahead to secure ultimate victory for all our candidates.

“Our heart goes out to the immediate families of the deceased and we pray that God almighty would give them the strength and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss caused by his sudden demise. We remind ourselves and take solace that, the late Senator Inatimi Spiff, until his demise was a faithful Servant and disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ who labored in God’s vineyard and knowing this, we will not mourn but rejoice as the deceased has simply transited on to reign with Christ in resplendent glory in heaven. And as we mourn his departure, we enjoin party faithful to emulate Sen. Spiff track record; his life and times especially with the fact that he had made peace God through our Lord Jesus Christ through personal commitment to him which guarantees a secure life of peace and joy the hereafter.

“May the gentle soul of our departed leader, late Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.”