U.S.-based Nigerians back America on Alamieyeseigha

[TGD]

 Ex-Army provost blames S'South under-development on corruption

AMERICA-BASED Nigerians are expressing support for the United States (U.S.) government's comments and action regarding the controversial pardon granted last week to a former corrupt governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Solomon Peter (DSP) Alamieyeseigha.

They are also demanding that former Head of State, Gen. Mohamadu Buhari, and other state governors should declare their stand on the issue since the decision was announced at a National Council of States' meeting.

And as the South-South region continues to lament the slow pace of work on the East-West road, former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, now a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Brig.-Gen. Don Idada Ikponmwen, said yesterday that corruption was at the root of not only the region but also the entire country's under-development.

According to the Executive Director of the National Democratic Liberty Forum (NDLF), Mr. Bokola Oreofe, "the (Barack) Obama administration should demand that the (President Godluck Jonathan administration rescinds the ill-conceived pardon.

"If the Nigerian government fails, consequences should be meted out to send a clear signal that Nigeria cannot continue to relish her world acclaimed notoriety of a corrupt nation in ways that make mockery of global efforts to discourage and stem the hurtful acts of government officials stealing public funds."

Also, the leader of the defunct PRONACO in the U.S. and varsity administrator, Dr. Baba Adams, noted: "We are in total agreement with the U.S. government that the pardon by President Jonathan is a step in the wrong direction in fighting corruption in Nigeria."

In a formal press statement released last night by the NDLF Executive Director, the New York based pro-democracy group specifically called on Gen. Buhari to "dissociate himself from the pardon as Jonathan removes veil of pretense."

While Adams conceded that the act was constitutionally legal, he insists, however, that "it is likely to do more harm than good to the president politically, and to the image of our country, adding: "We are not sure if he is getting the right advice by the sycophants and yes-men who surround him!"

According to the U.S.-based Nigerians, the recent pardon granted Alamieyeseigha, who is still wanted by law enforcement officials in the United Kingdom, "is indeed an opprobrium brought upon all citizens of Nigeria by a government that clearly condones corruption, thus displaying its badge of dishonour by this un-presidential pardon.

"The United States government has also seized property traced to him as products of proceeds of illicit activities and money-laundering. To grant such a person pardon shows the disconnect between Nigeria and global effort to curb corruption and protect masses of countries where these ill-gotten wealth are stolen from since such could assist in providing much-needed infrastructure."

In an interview with The Guardian yesterday, the soldier, now turned lawyer, said the South-South people agitated for a president from the region because they wanted one "capable of making the difference so that Nigeria as a whole and the South-South as a sub-unit, would all move forward.

"Jonathan's Presidency should not be judged only as it affects South-South people, that will be a myopic approach to a nation's problem. Any president's performance ought to be accessed from the totality of the impact of his administration on the nation at large, his own constituency being only part of it.

"I believe that President Jonathan means well in his agenda but the fact that corruption remains more of a culture now than a departure from it; the fact that corruption has become the mainstay of our system shows that the right approach, the right methods have not been made.

"The three arms of government are involved, even the judiciary that has proved to treat corrupt people with kid-glove."



The Guardian