The United States of America under the leadership of president Barack Obama, Friday vowed to cut off any form of assistance to Nigeria after the government of President Goodluck Jonathan granted a former Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who was accused of corruption state pardon,
A US newspaper, The Hill, quoted the State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland as saying, “The United States government is deeply disappointed over the recent pardons of corrupt officials by the Nigerian government.
“We see this as a setback for the fight against corruption and also for our ability to play the strong role we’ve played in supporting rule of law and legal institution building in Nigeria, which is very important for the future of the country, obviously.”
Asked if the US could cut off aid, Nuland said it was possible, adding that the pardon put a dent on the collaborative efforts between Nigeria and the US in fighting corruption.
She said, “We have made it clear to Nigeria that this puts a question mark on the kinds of work that we have been trying to do with them.
“We haven’t yet taken the kinds of steps that you’re suggesting, but we’re continuing to look at what’s appropriate.”
The US embassy in Abuja had also condemned the pardon via its Twitter handle @USEmbassy saying it was “deeply disappointed.”
“We see this as a setback in the fight against corruption,” the embassy said.
Nigeria was slated to receive $660.5 million in the US 2012 budget, more than any other sub-Saharan country except Ethiopia.
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