The controversial pardon granted some ex-convicts by President Goodluck Jonathan has
sparked a diplomatic standoff between Nigeria and the United States,
with the Americans threatening to punish Nigeria over Mr. Jonathan’s
action.
Nigeria has in turn accused the United States of “meddlesomeness”.
The U.S. had through its official
twitter handle @USEmbassyAbuja on Friday condemned Mr. Jonathan’s
action, saying, “the USG (United States Government) is deeply
disappointed over the recent pardons of corrupt officials by GON
(Government of Nigeria).”
It added, “We see this as a setback in the fight against corruption.”
A State Department official has now said
the American government is not taking the matter lightly and might
apply sanction as appropriate.
Speaking at the U.S. Department of
State’s daily press briefing in Washington D.C. late Friday,
Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the development in Nigeria might
jeorpardize the governance projects America is executing in Nigeria.
The U.S. is the world’s top donor. In
2012, it spent about $226 million on health and governance programmes in
Nigeria. And about $600million has been requested for 2013, according
to U.S. government data.
In response to a question on whether aid
to Nigeria might be cut, Ms Nuland said, “We see this as a setback for
the fight against corruption, and also for our ability to play the
strong role we’ve played in supporting rule of law and legal
institution-building in Nigeria, which is very important for the future
of the country obviously.”
She added, “We have made clear to the
Nigerians that this puts a question mark on the kinds of work that we’ve
been trying to do with them.
“We haven’t yet taken the kinds of steps
that you’re suggesting Matt (the reporter who asked the question), but
we’re continuing to look at what’s appropriate.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s foreign ministry
has summoned a top U.S. diplomat to explain why its embassy posted
critical comments on Twitter over a presidential pardon given to the
Nigerians convicted on corruption charges.
The Nigerian officials filed an urgent
request to speak to the U.S. deputy chief of mission over what it
described as “meddlesomeness.”
In a statement Friday, the ministry claimed the pardon granted Messrs
Alamieyeseigha and Bulama is entirely consistent with the provisions of
the Nigerian Constitution.
The ministry said it hoped “that the Embassy of the United States of
America would henceforth desist from making unwarranted comments on
Nigeria’s internal affairs which are capable of undermining the friendly
relations that exist between them.”
President Jonathan and the National
Council of State had granted ex- Bayelsa Governor, Mr. Alamieyeseigha
and ex-boss of the defunct Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama pardon in a
move condemned by civil society and other interest groups.
Both men had been convicted for corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
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Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Ex governor of Bayelsa state
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Mr. Alamieyeseigha, who chose Mr.
Jonathan as his running mate for the Bayelsa Governorship election in
1999, pleaded guilty to financial misappropriation and was sentenced to
two years in prison.
Some members of the Council of States
had told PREMIUM TIMES that it was clear from the president’s mien and
actions at the meeting that the pardon was targeted at Mr.
Alamieyeseigha with the others only used as smokescreen.
The ex-Bayelsa Governor’s name was the
first on the list of the pardon beneficiaries read by the president to
attendees at the meeting including three former Nigerian heads of state.
Mixed reactions
Nigerians have, however, reacted
differently to the U.S. reaction. While some say the U.S. has by its
actions showed that it would not support the seemingly pro-corruption
action of the government, others accused the American government of
meddling in Nigerian affairs especially when its former presidents also
pardoned similar ex-convicts.
“Who condemned USA when they pardoned
Oliver North and the then president over Iran contra,” a commentator by
the name Ben Growp posted on PREMIUM TIMES website.
“Various American presidents have
pardoned individuals, the most controversial being Marc Rich, whose wife
Denise is a contributor to the Democratic Party. Clinton’s actions were
done a few hours to leaving office in January of 2001,” another
commentator by the username Lanre posted.
Others like Odusanya Seye commended the U.S. statement.
“As a patriotic citizen of Nigeria, I
find this retarded move to pardon a convict shameful for a country whose
inhabitant cry for justice,” he said.
