More politicians and legislators have criticized the Federal Government’s decision to pardon former governors of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, and Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, who were earlier convicted for corruption.
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, and a frontline Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome described the gesture as an act capable of ridiculing the country in the international community.
Wike who is a leading Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, said the pardon was a demonstration that the corruption fight of the government was shrouded in despicable politics that had ridiculed Nigeria in the international community.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Wike said: “To tell you the truth, this APC government has deceived us a lot. This is a government that said they’re fighting corruption. They handpick people and jail them after they have gone through all court processes up to the Supreme Court.
“Then they turned around to release from prison those people that they said are corrupt. What country and what a government?
“Doing it for political reasons because the elections are coming and they want (Joshua) Dariye to help their party in Plateau State. They want (Jolly) Nyame to help them in Taraba State. Why don’t they give pardon to James Ibori for example?
“Look at how they have made the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) prosecute and spend so much money. Then at the end of the day, you played politics with it. How will the international community look at us? It’s so shameful.”
Ozekhome in a statement on Saturday argued that both the President and the Council of State goofed and abused their undoubted constitutional powers and privileges in granting pardon to Nyame and Dariye gave their conduct.
