Presidency berates Wike over criticism of Buhari’s pardon for nyame, dariye

 

The presidency has said criticism of the state pardon granted to two former governors, who were jailed for malfeasance and financial impropriety, by president Muhammadu Buhari is uncalled for.

Recalled that president Muhammadu Buhari had last week Thursday used his prerogative of mercy to release Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, former governors of Plateau and Taraba respectively.

The federal government had announced the pardon of 159 convicted persons, including the former governors, after the Council of State meeting.

While reacting to the state pardon, Wike slammed the APC led federal government over the pardon granted to the two former governors describing it as “disservice” to the judiciary

The Rivers governor claimed that the two former governors were granted pardons so that they can help the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general election.

But president’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, fauled Wike’s assertion, saying Wike does not have the “moral justification” to criticise the decision since he did not attend the Council of State meeting despite being invited.

Shehu added that Ipalibo Banigo, Rivers deputy governor, who attended the meeting virtually, switched off her camera and it was thus difficult to determine if she monitored the proceeding or walked away.

“I do not see the moral justification for Governor Wike’s criticism of the decision of the government to pardon Governors Dariye and Nyame at a meeting to which he was duly invited but did not attend,” Mr Shehu said in a series of tweets.

“The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, who joined the Council of State meeting virtually, switched off her camera, so it was difficult to determine whether she sat behind the dark screen or just walked away after first joining.”

Mr Nyame had been serving a 12-year jail term after he was convicted for diverting N1.64 billion during his tenure as governor of Taraba. Mr Dariye on his part was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for N1.126 billion fraud.