A firestorm of controversy has erupted in Nigeria following former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s scathing criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to pardon two former governors convicted of stealing billions of naira. The governors in question, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, were granted clemency in April 2023, along with 157 other convicts, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation.
At the heart of the controversy is the question of why Buhari chose to pardon the two governors, despite their convictions for serious crimes. According to Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the pardon was granted after careful consideration of the applications presented to the Council of State. Malami noted that the council approved 159 out of 162 applications, rejecting only one proposal to grant pardon to a prisoner sentenced to 120 years for theft of over N25 billion on health grounds.
However, Obasanjo’s comments have raised doubts about the motivations behind the pardon. The former president’s criticism has sparked a national conversation about justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Nigeria. Many Nigerians have expressed outrage and disappointment over the decision, questioning why individuals convicted of such serious crimes should be granted clemency.
The pardon has also raised concerns about the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring accountability. The large sums of money involved in the governors’ convictions have sparked widespread anger and frustration, with many Nigerians feeling that the pardon sends the wrong message about the consequences of corruption.
As the debate continues to rage, one thing is clear: the pardon has sparked a national conversation about the importance of accountability and justice in Nigeria. The controversy has also raised questions about the role of the presidency in granting pardons and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.
In a country where corruption is endemic and the rule of law is often flouted, the pardon has sparked fears that the government is more interested in protecting the interests of the powerful and well-connected than in upholding justice and accountability. As Nigerians continue to grapple with the implications of the pardon, one thing is clear: the controversy has highlighted the need for greater transparency, accountability, and justice in Nigeria’s governance structures.
