A member of Civil Society Network against Corruption (CSNAC) has expressed great sense of disappointment over the presidential pardon granted to the convicted former Governor of Bayelsa state Mr. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
According to the
Group, chairman, Olanrewaju suraju he said that The granting of a pardon to Mr.
Alamieyeseigha is nothing short of the presidents insensitivity to the plight
of Nigerians who suffer everyday the consequences of the corrupt actions of its
leaders.
“Though, the 1999
constitution under sec.175 (1) confers on the president the power to grant
pardon to any person convicted of any offence created by an act of the National
Assembly, but our country has lost over $380 billion dollars to graft between1960
to 1999”. “This is the same country that
60% of these citizens leave on less than a dollar a day”. He said.
He also added
that “We verily believe that the president’s pardon of Alamieyeseigha was done
on personal grounds, with the president publicly acknowledging the ex-governor
as his political benefactor” “Others
included in the pardon are mere smoke-screen to achieve the ultimate objective
of the President”.
He continued
that, “this act therefore is tantamount to an abuse of power, and contravenes
sec.15 (5) of the constitution which provides that the state shall abolish all
corrupt practices and abuse of power”. He added
He further said
that “ with this singular act, the administration of President Good luck Jonathan
has confirm his government's purported fight against corruption to be nothing
but a ruse”. “this and many other
actions of the President sends only one clear message to all public officials
high and low, "corruption and abuse of office is the fundamental objective
and directive principle of policy" of this government”. He noted
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