The Conference of Northeastern States Civil Society Networks has threatened to mobilize support from other civil society organizations across the country and beyond to pass a vote of no confidence on the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government if it does not rescind it’s decision to grant former Governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame state pardon.
Joshua Chibi Dariye and Jolly Nyame, former Governors of Plateau and Taraba States respectively, were in 2018 sentenced to various jail terms after being found guilty of corruption charges during their tenures.
But President Muhammadu Buhari, after a Council of States meeting recently, announced a gtate pardon for the two former Governors.
This action, the Network said, could force it to pronounce a vote of no confidence on the Federal Government which could further lead to a total loss of public trust and by implication, the Government may loose it’s integrity and the support of Nigerian citizens.
In a press release sent to newsmen by it’s Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim A Waiya and Secretary, Amb Ibrahim Yusuf, the Network said, “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 a matter of urgency reverse his decision on the state pardon granted to some corruption convicts, in the interest of Nigerian citizens.
It noted that the decision was uncalled for, stressing that, “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.”
According to the Network, corruption over the years in Nigeria had gradually succeeded in causing a loss of trust and a breakdown of social capital in Governance.
“We all know that corruption is a threat to development, democracy and stability. It distorts markets, curbs economic growth and discourages foreign investments. It also erodes public services and trust in Government officials,” it emphasized.
It reminded President 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.
The release further stated that: ” In recent time, the anti corruption agencies in Nigeria, most especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reignited the hopes of Nigerians through it’s diligent prosecution of high profile 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.
“AbdulRasheed Bawa recovered over ten billion naira, several properties and secured 185 convictions across EFCC Zonal offices in just 100 days in office. He also launched an application called ‘Eagle Eye’ to ease the reporting of corruption related cases across the country to ensure that swift response and interventions are provided through the dedicated team of the commission,” insisting that all these would be exercises in futility if the state pardon granted the ex governors are not reversed.
The Conference of Northern Nigerian States Civil Society Networks is a forum of States based society networks operating in the 19 Northern States of Nigeria.
It was inaugurated in March 2021 with the sole objective of advocating for the best practices of democracy, accountable governance and increased development of Northern Nigeria and beyond through policy influencing, cooperation and team work.
