Understandably, Nigerians are appalled, and have therefore reacted in anger over the recent so-called presidential pardon granted some individuals, including a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Dipreye Alamieyeisegha. Alams as he is popularly and deridedly known and referred to by Nigerians, was convicted by a competent court of the land for corruption and other official malfeasance. Indeed, the opprobrious events that led to his arrest, prosecution and conviction remain fresh in the minds of Nigerians, and indeed the whole world.
President Jonathan was reported to have made a recommendation for pardon to the Council of State, in respect of the ex-convict, a man he had recently described as his political benefactor and mentor! And of course, with a stroke of presidential overlordship over the rest of Nigerians, Chief Dipreye Alamieyeisegha is no longer a convicted criminal, but now a completely free man, bearing no guilt or stain. The import of this however is not lost on Nigerians. What it simply means is that under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, crime and corruption pay, and in fact shall be appropriately rewarded. Indeed, many have suggested that the President should turn full circle by compiling a list of all past convicted criminals, armed robbers, fraudsters, and similar offences, with a view not only to granting them presidential pardon, some even posthumously, but also apologising to them.
We of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) would like to remind President Jonathan that by this action, and of course many other similar acts under him, he is doing his best to mortgage the future of this country, and further destroying its moral fabric. We dare say that this President lacks the moral character to run a modern nation-state. He has lost the justification to lead Nigerians, and has now inadvertently, and with an official presidential seal, put Nigerians under the siege of official corruption and financial crimes. President Jonathan, by many of his actions, especially in the promotion and condonement of corruption in the high places, is doing so much damage to the country, and sending the country down on a free fall, that would take many years to reverse.
Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) is particularly disconcerted that some former Heads of State of the country were railroaded into taking this odious path. If indeed, they were fully in the know of the processes leading to this decision, perhaps it is time for them to be appropriately designated as ‘stage men’, rather than statesmen. We are therefore of the opinion that it is time for real leaders to emerge to salvage the sinking ship of this land. President Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be told celarly and without equivocation that they do not own this country. Of course, the real owners of this country, the Nigerian people would in due course take their destiny into their hands by combining forces to terminate this conspiratorial contraption that has been foisted on them by a band of wicked and unconscionable people.
Just as we did in the dying days of former President Umaru Yar’Adua’s regime when Madam Turai and the so-called Villa cabal were embarassing the office of the Vice President of Nigeria, and we effectively worked with others to mobilise Nigerians to enable President Jonathan to assume his position, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) is expressing its willingness to work with like minds and other true patriots, to re-direct the course of this country from this journey towards perdition.
And finally, for some individuals serving in this administration who sometimes like profess some high moral standing, this is the time to salvage whatever is left of their credibility, by immediately quitting the stage, and join forces with other concerned Nigerians who are working hard to help Nigeria fulfill her destiny.
The struggle continues.
Kunle Famoriyo National Publicity Secretary Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) 08021185077, 08161111020
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