Home News Presidency Berates Wike over Dariye, Nyame Pardon

Presidency Berates Wike over Dariye, Nyame Pardon

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The Presidency has berated Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State over his criticism of the recent presidential pardon granted to former Governors Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Rev Jolly Nyame of Taraba State.

Dariye and Nyame were jailed for stealing N1.16bn and N1.6bn, respectively.

Last Thursday, the Council of State had approved presidential pardon for 159 out of 162 serving jail terms for various reasons, among whom were the two former governors.
But Wike had faulted the action of the federal government, describing it as unfortunate, unfair and a drawback for the fight against corruption.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, has taken a swipe at Wike for his outburst, describing his condemnation of the pardon as “bolekaja politics”.

In a triple-tweet on his verified Twitter handle, the presidential spokesman revealed how the decision was presented to the Council, which includes all the 36 Governors by President Muhammadu Buhari and it was passed.

He expressed surprise at Wike’s outburst, wondering why he would condemn a decision he was meant to have been part of.

 Wike was represented at the Council meeting by his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, who joined virtually.

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

“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.

“If the Governor felt so strongly about the pardons, the right was for him or his representative to sit through the meeting and assert views. This did not do. A press release after the meeting is bolekaja politics,” Shehu said.

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