Ex-Bayelsa senator, Inatimi Rufus-Spiff is dead

The Senator, who represented Bayelsa East at the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007, Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, is dead.

A statement by his brother and paramount ruler of Cameroun-Ama, Twon Brass, in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Beinmo Rufus-Spiff, said the former senator passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2022 in a hospital in Abuja.

He died at the age of 68.

It stated that the burial arrangements would be announced later by the family.

The late Rufus-Spiff was Secretary to the Government of the old Rivers State under Governor Rufus Ada George.

Before going to the Senate, he had also served as the Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa State during the administration of the first civilian governor of the state, late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

He also served as the chairman of the Governing Council of the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology, Otuogidi.

The deceased politician was also the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee in Bayelsa State.

He was also a member of the state PDP Presidential Campaign Advisory Council for the 2023 general election, which Governor Douye Diri inaugurated on November 30, 2022.

At the event, which was his last known public outing in Bayelsa, the late Rufus-Spiff spoke eloquently on the bright chances of the PDP at the forthcoming polls and urged unity and oneness in the party.

A member of the PCAC and former Deputy National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Blesson Akpuluma, described the senator’s demise as sad and shocking.

He said, “His death is sad and a rude shock to those of us who know him; a gentleman per se and very unassuming. May God repose his soul.”