From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
Some Civil Society Organizations, under the aegis of Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, have condemned the state pardon, granted to ex-governor Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame of Plateau and Taraba states, respectively by President Muhammadu Buhari, through Council of State, urging the President to withdraw such, to avoid losing Nigerians’ trust.
The groups, in a statement jointly signed by 19 CSOs, led by Ibrahim Waiya, their Chairman, described the decision as unfortunate, shocking, adding that “at best, paradoxical coming from a man who rode to the corridor of power under the guise of anti- corruption”.
According to the CSOs, corruption, over the years in Nigeria had gradually succeeded in causing a loss of trust and a breakdown of social capital in governance, as is a threat to development, democracy and stability, because it distorts markets, curbs economic growth and discourages foreign investments. It also erodes public services and trust in government officials.
The CSOs lamented that the decision to pardone the two former governors, who were jailed for stealing billions of naira from public treasury, had dashed the hopes of Nigerians on the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari’s government, noting that the antigraft agencies, especially EFCC, who had re-ignited the hopes of Nigerians through diligent prosecution of high profiled corruption cases, where the current chairman had to stand in the witness box for several hours to ensure that, corrupt individuals are brought to book, noting that this action by Buhari’s government is a slap to the efforts of the anti-corruption agency.
“We wish to remind His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari that fighting against corruption was the leading pillar of his campaign promises and administration agenda, upon which many Nigerians believed and supported his presidential bid.
“It is however unfortunate that, since the inception of this administration in 2015 the actions and policies of the Government have always been against the efforts to support and strengthen the anti-graft institutions in Nigeria, such as EFCC, Judiciary and others, but are rather ridiculed and making caricature of their selfless services.
“We are aware of the level at which corruption has succeeded in undermining the operations of many institutions and processes, and giving rise to anti-public policies. Consequently, if such practices are allowed to thrive continuously, corruption would damage, in entirety, the legitimacy of this regime and shall surely lead to a total loss of public sympathy and trust in the system”, they reaffirmed.
They continued, “Similarly, the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks wishes to remind His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari one of his favorite statements “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us”.
“The current action to grant a state pardon to some corruption convicts, is surely a disservice to the nation and a breach of social contract between the President and the Nigerian citizens on whose mandate, the President acts
“We, the members of this great conference and as anti- corruption ambassadors hereby condemn this action in totality and request His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, to as matter of urgency reverse his decision on state pardon granted to some corruption convicts, in the interest of Nigerian citizens.
“Failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse his action, the Conference shall be left with no option but to canvass for the support of other civil society organizations across the country and beyond to pass a vote of no confidence on Federal Government, and this measure we believe may lead to a total loss of public trust, and by implications the Government may lose its integrity and support of the Nigerian citizens”.
