The Federal Government yesterday gave further insight into why former Bayelsa State governor, Diepriye Alamieyeseigha, who was convicted of financial sleaze under the Obasanjo administration was granted pardon. The ex-governor and seven others were pardoned by the Council of State in Abuja last Tuesday. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Dr Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, said that the pardon was informed by political expediency.
This is a display of extreme humility and honesty on the part of Mr President; in this day that virtually all political benefactors usually turn into enemy number one and are therefore hounded to the ground by the incumbents.
“It was God and Providence that lifted President Jonathan over and above his former political boss. But in truth, Alamieyeseigha since he left prison had been working strenously and silently to assist the President stabilise the amnesty in the region. “Alamieyeseigha is a foremost leader of the Ijaw nation and his political and stabilising influence in that region have impacted positively on the overall economy of the nation, bringing crude oil exports from the abysmally low level of 70,000 bpd, to over 2.4million bpd!
Therefore, it is obvious that Alamieyeseigha has been a major player since his release from prison in ensuring that the blood that runs through the Nigerian economy artery is not cut off.”
The presidential spokesperson noted that granting state pardon to the former governor would not undermine the anti- corruption crusade of the government, as he noted that “prerogative of mercy by definition is not a justiceable affair. “ The major concern of many patriotic and reasonable Nigerians is whether the decision is morally right of if it will send wrong signals on governments anti-corruption crusade.
“These two considerations are my major objectives in addressing this conference and I once again, wish to plead that our people should hear me out and allow us to reason together. On the issue of morality, I want to state categorically here, that state or presidential pardon are not intended for nobility or saints.
In general, a state pardon is for those who have committed crimes and breached the laws of the land and may or may not have been tried or convicted regardless of their social status. “A pardon is the forgiveness of a crime and the cancellation of the relevant penalty; it is usually granted by the head of state, or by acts of parliament or a religious authority.
Today, pardons are granted in many countries when individuals have demonstrated that they have fulfilled their debt to society, or are otherwise considered to be deserving.
Also, a prerogative of mercy by definition is not a justiceable affair. It has to do with discretion and the necessity to redress bitterness and thereby offer healing and forgiveness especially in the presence of evidence of remorse and potential to add value to the country,” he said
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