The Presidency, Thursday,
declared that the stabilising role the former Governor of Bayelsa State,
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha played to ensure that oil in the Niger Delta was not
cut off earned him the state pardon even as the Nigerian Labour Congress and civil
society groups insist that the state pardon granted Alamieyeseigha was
unacceptable.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Thday, Senior Special Assistant to President Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, argued that since his release from the prison, Alamieyeseigha had been assisting President Goodluck Jonathan silently to ensure that the amnesty programme of the Federal Government succeeds.
He noted that no state pardon will remove the fact that the former Bayelsa governor was criminal, stressing that state pardon was for criminals.
The Presidency, however, appealed to Nigerians and members of the civil societies for open mindedness on the pardon granted the former Bayelsa governor, even as it reminded Nigerians that Alamieyeseigha was removed from office in a manner that was suggested by many as not being entirely above board.
Okupe stressed that the former governor had suffered enough for his sins these years and demonstrated enough soberness after he served his sentence. He added that with the pardon he was now a free man to engage in any endeavour he would wish to go into, even contesting for elective positions.
“Pardon is for criminals”
Okupe said: “I want to state categorically here, that state or presidential pardon is 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.
“He lost his position, forfeited the property illegally acquired and has demonstrated enough soberness after he served his sentence. It is out of place to suggest that the pardon is tantamount to abandoning the fight against corruption in Nigeria. This is too far from the truth.
“People have stated that President Jonathan said publicly that Alamieyeisegha was his political benefactor. 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 Alamieyeisegha, since he left prison, has been working strenuously and silently to assist the President stabilise the amnesty in the Niger Delta Region.
“Alamieyesiegha 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 700,00 bpd to over 2.4 million 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 economic artery is not cut off.”
Okupe, who asked why the state pardon must form the centre of discourse now, said late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, whose actions led to the loss of thousands of lives and property, was equally granted state pardon.
The Presidential aide said: “In Nigerian history, great and eminent men, who have been crucified for one crime or the other have been pardoned by past Presidents and such men have lived thereafter to further enhance our political and socio-economic development.
“Amongst those are our respected departed sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the revered Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, who continued after their pardon to contribute immensely to Nigeria’s social, political and economic growth till death.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Thday, Senior Special Assistant to President Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, argued that since his release from the prison, Alamieyeseigha had been assisting President Goodluck Jonathan silently to ensure that the amnesty programme of the Federal Government succeeds.
He noted that no state pardon will remove the fact that the former Bayelsa governor was criminal, stressing that state pardon was for criminals.
The Presidency, however, appealed to Nigerians and members of the civil societies for open mindedness on the pardon granted the former Bayelsa governor, even as it reminded Nigerians that Alamieyeseigha was removed from office in a manner that was suggested by many as not being entirely above board.
Okupe stressed that the former governor had suffered enough for his sins these years and demonstrated enough soberness after he served his sentence. He added that with the pardon he was now a free man to engage in any endeavour he would wish to go into, even contesting for elective positions.
“Pardon is for criminals”
Okupe said: “I want to state categorically here, that state or presidential pardon is 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.
“He lost his position, forfeited the property illegally acquired and has demonstrated enough soberness after he served his sentence. It is out of place to suggest that the pardon is tantamount to abandoning the fight against corruption in Nigeria. This is too far from the truth.
“People have stated that President Jonathan said publicly that Alamieyeisegha was his political benefactor. 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 Alamieyeisegha, since he left prison, has been working strenuously and silently to assist the President stabilise the amnesty in the Niger Delta Region.
“Alamieyesiegha 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 700,00 bpd to over 2.4 million 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 economic artery is not cut off.”
Okupe, who asked why the state pardon must form the centre of discourse now, said late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, whose actions led to the loss of thousands of lives and property, was equally granted state pardon.
The Presidential aide said: “In Nigerian history, great and eminent men, who have been crucified for one crime or the other have been pardoned by past Presidents and such men have lived thereafter to further enhance our political and socio-economic development.
“Amongst those are our respected departed sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the revered Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, who continued after their pardon to contribute immensely to Nigeria’s social, political and economic growth till death.
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Politics
It is not only myopic but stupindious of no atom of substance for okupe and his cohorts to compare the revolutionary and nationalistic effort of Ojukwu and Awolowo to the dubious characteristic of Alams which never benefited any sections of the country but Jonathan. I really thought our president is educated? We better start investigating some university who award Doctorate to blockheaded Tabularasas.Na wah O!! Obasi
ReplyDeletegood gesture by Mr president. However, I just
ReplyDeletehope Alams as he is popularly called would turn a new leaf.
If God can forgive us,why can't we do same .after all his convention was political by obj ,if u are with him u will be covered but if u are not with him u will be Cut .I am saying all of them politisans are criminal .
ReplyDeleteMr. President your rationale for pardoning Alam. is at best preposterous. You might as well pardon all the armed robbers that spray their loots to hopeless and impoverish masses after their operation as a humanitarian purpose. Or how about those in jail that have lived exemplary life still serving in jail. By the way why were they in jail in the first place; because of economic deprivation caused by the likes of Alam your Boss?
ReplyDeleteMy own is diff.... Pardon or no pardon ......govt shld luk into jobless issue...... They shld try and start given unemployment job or money everymonth at least #30,000 for our stipend so dt we can meetup wt our needs so dt most of our leader that'r embezling everyday we stop it..... Then we dt we'r usin our brain for dubious things like 419, yahoo+, prostitutions, armrobber would reduce .....anywhich way pls govt find solutions 2 this problem so dt u and I can hv rest of mind .....nigerians. Youth'r not happy..... Govt can as well use our NYSC discharged letter number for d monthly payment of nigeria unemployment citizens.....God bless nigerians .....God bless our govt....thank u
ReplyDelete