The Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, has issued a stern warning to President Muhammadu Buhari over state pardon granted to ex-governors and about 157 others.
Buhari had at the council of state meeting on Thursday, April 14, granted pardons, under the Prerogative of Mercy, to Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State, and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State.
The pardon for the ex-governors, who are both serving various jail terms for misappropriation of funds, has continued to elicit intense outrage.
In a statement signed by Ibrahim Waiya, its chairman, and Ibrahim Yusuf, its secretary-general, the coalition said the move was in contrast to Buhari’s mouthed fight against corruption.
The coalition also blasted the president, saying despite coming to power with the promise of tackling corruption, his actions and policies have always been against the efforts to support and strengthen the anti-graft institutions in Nigeria.
The statement read, “It has come to our notice that, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, has through the council of states pardoned two former state governors who were jailed for stealing public funds in 2018 and were yet to serve half the length of their jail terms in prison. This is rather unfortunate, shocking and at best, paradoxical coming from a man who rode to the corridor of power under the guise of anti-corruption.
“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 EFC