The trending issue, as regard corruption and its fight, is President Muhammadu Buhari’s pardon for ex-governors Dariye and Nyame, who were jailed for corruption. This pardon by the president has generated a lot of reactions among Nigerians. YUSUF ABDULKADIR asked some Nigerians their take on the issue. Their views:
Dolapo Ajayi
The recent unworthy pardon of ex-governors Dariye and Nyame demonstrates Nigeria’s acceptance of corruption. A government that claims to be fighting corruption should not pardon convicted criminals. This strengthens corrupt officials’ confidence and their contempt for the public. The principles of equality and justice have long been forgotten. In Nigeria, the law is designed to protect the wealthy. A country where people who engage in lesser crimes do not enjoy such acts of grace is demoralising. The act of corruption is paid for by the poor, but enjoyed by the rich.
Ibrahim Kazeem
Honestly, that singular act has eroded the little trust Nigerians still have in the anti-corruption slogan of the current administration. This has further established the notion that corruption would continue to thrive as long as the elite benefit from it. Disappointingly, it would sap the energy of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in pursuing corrupt cases because, at the end of the day, the culprits could easily be used as a political bargain, as we are seeing now. I pray we get our corruption fight right soon enough, because a lot depends on it.
Olatunji Oreoluwa
The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration continues to surprise Nigerians in a negative manner. It is demoralising that this is coming from a leader who’s mantra is fighting corruption and eradicating corrupt practices within the government. Pardoning former governors, who are serving jail terms for corruption, on the basis of health and age, negates the anti-corruption fight. The president should reconsider this pardon, as it could be misconstrued for personal gains, favoritism or political agenda.
Ahmad Bello
Buhari’s decision to pardon two ex-governors that were jailed for corruption is shocking. Prior to his victory in the 2015 poll, Buhari was known as a no-nonsense man that was contesting to eradicate the corruption that has eaten deep into the fabric of the country, and most people were hopeful that he can win the fight and bring sanity to the Nigerian public service. So, making this ill-timed decision to pardon the two corrupt, jailed former governors negates the objectives of eradicating corruption. It sends wrong messages to corrupt government officials that no matter the level of their corrupt actions, they would be pardoned.
Aguzie Ijeoma
It is pathetic. How could a government that uses the fight against corruption as one of its core agenda make such a decision? It is an unacceptable development. Pardoning those who destroyed our economy is equivalent to terrorism. This simply means that corruption has been legalised in the country. Democracy in Nigeria is making the country worse, rather than better. The government, as well as our judicial system, has failed Nigerians.
Oluwole Temitope
I regard it as a complete state of abuse of lawful power. Yes, it is within his constitutional jurisdiction as the president to grant pardon. It is, however, in this situation, a clear cut case of mal-appropriation and embezzlement that should not be swept under the carpet as though it was a mere case of stealing sweets over the counter. How can a regime with the promise to combat corruption cover up such act under the umbrella of a ‘pardon’. If it is not a political move, as the presidency claims, then what is it? Is it not delirious on the part of the government to think it could curb corruption with corruption itself?
Uthman Babatunde
Nigeria is a country where the laws are only applied to vulnerable citizens. The elite are free to go against the law and would not be prosecuted. I am not surprised that they were pardoned because Dariye and others who were granted pardon are members of the ruling party (APC). If the president should pardon criminals who cheated the country, that would create a loophole and open the door for others to commit the same crime. And the chain continues.
Fatiu Musa
Nigeria is in a state of systemic corruption, where every public office holder could be easily traced to corruption. I am not surprised in Mr President’s action in pardoning the ex-governors convicted of corruption because our president surprised Nigerians in 2019 when he supported the candidacy of Governor Ganduje as a returning governor without considering the leaked video exposing the governor’s alleged corruption in office before the electioneering process began.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents
In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…Supreme Court upholds Ganduje Supreme Court upholds Ganduje
Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train
The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…Supreme Court upholds Ganduje Supreme Court upholds Ganduje
and then