Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the public outrage over the pardon he granted to two former governors who stole billions. The presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in a statement disclosed that Buhari acted in accordance with Nigeria’s constitution Shehu noted further it would be cruel on the part of the president not to grant such a pardon, adding that even governors also have the right to be treated fairly under the law.
On Wednesday, April 20, President Muhammadu Buhari, justified the presidential pardon granted to former governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame. The two former governors were among the 159 inmates granted a presidential pardon by Buhari last week after the approval of the National Council of State.
His pardon of the two former governors who stole billions of naira had elicited public outcry. But the presidency, in a statement issued by Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman said Buhari acted in accordance with the constitution of the land, Gistlover reports.
Buhari justifies the presidential pardon granted to two ex-governors convicted of stealing billions.
In his statement, Shehu said President Buhari would have come across as cruel if he had not pardoned the former governors.
Part of the statement reads: “The Presidency wishes to throw light on the recent note presented to the Council of State, on the report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, PACPM as a culmination of a process begun by the convicts and others concerned in line with the Constitution. “The PACPM members, under the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, followed up the recommendations with a visit to selected Correctional Centers in several states of the Federation to “critically appraise and identify potential cases of convicts and ex-convicts before recommending them for presidential pardon/clemency and reduced sentences.”
