President Goodluck Jonathan has confirmed the granting of presidential pardon to a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and a few other ex-convicts.
PREMIUM TIMES had broken the strory of the pardon while the meeting was underway Tuesday morning.
We also reported details of the proceedings minutes after the meeting ended.
Presidential spokespersons had gone underground for most of yesterday in what appeared a ploy to dodge media enquiry on the controversial pardon of a man who stole his people blind while governor.
But Mr. Jonathan, speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Doyin Okupe, has now confirmed our report.
He said he has no apology for his action.
Mr. Okupe spoke on Channels TV breakfast show, Sunrise.
“That is an action that has been taken by the National Council of States and I have no apology for that.” Mr. Jonathan said. “We must begin to respect and honour our institutions. I don’t need to defend the action that has been taken.”
When reminded that the action had created the impression that the government was not serious about the war against corruption, Mr. Jonathan said, “It is not all decisions parents take that are palatable for their kids. But with time they will realize that their parents are right.”
He said pardoning Mr. Alamieyeseigha was in order as the former Bayelsa governor had suffered enough.
“A man was deposed. He was hounded, tried and jail. What is wrong with giving pardon to a remorseful sinner?
“How come granting pardon to him has become an aberration? Is it because he is from Bayelsa? Is it from he is from South-South? Is it because he is connected to Mr. President?”
Read more: Premium Times
Bunch of the same feather and GEJ benefactor. How would he not say alamiesiega had suffered enough? If they can remember how many bayelsan they have sent to early grave because of their kleptomaniac. I pray that in the nearest future, scroll of how nigerian’s leaders performed and make us one of the poorest nation in the world shall be open and each of the leaders rewarded according to their work.
Abatti & Doyin Okupe u both r bunch of rogues jst lyk yr boss GEJ. But soon nemesis wil catch up wit u ol. Wat happen 2 d likes f Al-Mustapha dat hv bin in jail long b4 dis Alamiesiegha rogue? God is watchin, and may d predictions f dis 2013 frm ur men f faith befall u all dat c d truth & shy away frm it.
There are millions of prisoners all over the nation who commited crimes not as worse as the alameguy did and are repentant but they are still locked up. He’s just served less than 6yrs and you guys want him pardoned, for what? So that other high placed officials will commit and then be granted pardon? Gosh!! Ye are all birds of thesame feather.
The president’s view towards pardoning alaimasia is worth copyable but he should put eyes in to the security of all the citizen’s lives especialy in the police and sss because they kill any how. I am one of the innocent victim that went through hell of sss.
the so called pardon granted was just for the former governor of bayelsa state. Lets call a spade a spade. Mr president, am sorry to say this but its the fact. You are not living up expection.
Jonathan has disappointed Nigerians in many ways.Right from his inception in office,he has never shown any sign to fight corruption not to talk of taking any reasonable steps.We Nigerians are sick and tired of a selfish leader who is only thinking of getting his dirty ass back to office in 2015 instead of designing ways to move our dear country forward.All his actions in protecting criminals that have looted Nigeria blind is all in his plan in protecting those bastards that will back him up in his re-election bid.Jonathan is a shame to the entire south south and Nigeria as a whole.