Senator Ehigie Uzamere represents Edo South senatorial district on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria. In this interview with Omololu Ogunmade, Uzamere defended the state pardon granted former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, amongst other issues. Excerpts:



What was your immediate reaction to the state pardon granted former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, by President Jonathan?
The pardon of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha is a welcome development. I have granted several interviews to journalists within and outside Abuja and I have no apology to say that the step that the president has taken is a right step in the right direction. Through the wisdom that God gave to him, he has put everything to rest from the day that Alamieyesegha was arrested.

Before we go further, let’s look at the foundation, how Alamieyeseigha was humiliated. By 2005, Alamieyeseigha was a sitting governor in this country. Now, Alamieyeseigha had gone to Germany for a procedure. He left Germany for London. As soon as he arrived into the airport, right from the aircraft, he was arrested, a sitting governor.

Irrespective of what Alamieyeseigha might have done, he was humiliated by British government in connivance with Nigerian government. Therefore, he was kept there. He left United Kingdom and came to Nigeria. Now, they said Alamieyeseigha escaped. How would Alamieyeseigha escape from the British Government? I believe that British government knows the truth and one day, they will tell us why they allowed Alamieyeseigha to leave.

You mean the British government aided his escape?
Yes. I believe so. I believe they knew the reason they allowed Alamieyeseigha to leave at that time because there is no how you can escape from Britain. And Alamieyeseigha at the appropriate time will tell us why the British government allowed him to leave.

Why do you think the British government must have aided his escape?
I wouldn’t know because at that time, I was also arrested by (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) EFCC in connection with Alamieyeseigha. So, I wouldn’t know what transpired between them. But from what we know about Britain in times of security, I believe that the British government knew the reason they allowed Alamieyeseigha to leave.

You said recently that you were arrested by EFCC. What did you do?
Yes, I was arrested by the Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC in connection with Alamieyeseigha. He came back to Nigeria and was impeached by less than two-third of the majority of the members of the state House of Assembly. These crabs today, who are shouting in Nigeria that Alamieyeseigha does not deserve pardon, they don’t know the reason Alamieyeseigha was removed. He was removed by less than two-third of the membership as prescribed by the Nigerian constitution.

He was removed by the government of the time and the reason was simple. Alamieyeseigha was one of those who fought for 13 per cent derivation for oil producing states at the time. Alamieyeseigha at that time, took sides with the (former Vice President) Abubakar Atiku. These were the simple two reasons Alamieyeseigha was cut down.

Nigerians are not asking, why would less than two per cent remove a governor? Nigerians are not asking, why will a Nigerian be humiliated in foreign land all because of corruption? But these crabs are talking rubbish about Alamieyeseigha in the newspaper. They have not considered the real issues. Alamieyeseigha was sentenced. He opted for plea bargain. Alamieyeseigha has been remorseful. Alamieyeseigha has suffered for his people by defending 13 per cent derivation.

Are you now saying that the theft of several millions of dollars and pound sterling by DSP is a non-issue?
What did Alamieyeseigha do that governors of that time did not do? Why was Alamieyeseigha singled out? Another reason he was singled out was that he was the only one that did not have godfather among the governors? They used him as a guinea pig to teach other governors a lesson. So, we must learn to forgive. The president in his wisdom decided to forgive Alamieyeseigha in consultation with eminent Nigerians. He didn’t do it alone. The man went for plea bargain. His property was taken from him. His money was taken from him. He has nothing left. Why do you want the man to die in addition to all that?
Since the period that Alamieyeseigha was arrested, how many governors have been jailed? How many ministers have been invited by EFCC? So, you want to tell me that in the eight years within which Alamieyeseigha served and was arrested, all those in the federal government were all saints? Come on, Nigerians, let’s tell ourselves the truth. If we must fight corruption, it must start from our houses. We must search ourselves!

From your submission, it appears you are supporting corruption.
I don’t know what you mean by supporting corruption. I don’t award contracts.
But you are automatically saying that what the former governor should not have been queried by anyone at all.
Alamieyeseigha had entered into a plea bargain. And what that meant was that he committed the sins and he said ‘this is what I have’ and he gave it all out. What else do you want from the man? You must learn how to forgive.

As a member of the ACN, won’t your position contradict that of your party?
This is not a party issue as far as I’m concerned. This has to do with Nigerians. I’m not talking on behalf of my party. I don’t know the position of my party. My party has not called me to say that they don’t support the pardon of Alamieyeseigha. Maybe I will stand up to say what I’m saying. I stand up to be corrected and I have no apology to anybody. Whatever Alamieyeseigha might have done, the man has asked for mercy.

People criticise the pardon because they believe it would have adverse effect on the war against corruption?

Okay, since Alamieyeseigha was jailed and released, how many governors have been sent to prison? That is the question you have to ask yourself. You are saying that it will give room for corruption. Okay, since Alamieseigha has been convicted, how many governors have been convicted by the same EFCC?

But if you are saying many other corrupt people have gone scot-free and the only one that ought to serve as a deterrent should also be left off-the-hook; isn’t that contradictory?
What I’m saying is that a section of this country cannot hold us to ransom. We are all Nigerians and we are all equal stakeholders. Alamieyeseigha had been sentenced and the president in his wisdom granted him pardon after consultation with stakeholders. What I’m saying is since Alamieyeseigha’s conviction, how many former governors that do not enjoy immunity have been jailed? How many ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who award contracts have been jailed? So, why should it be only Alamieyeseigha?

But shouldn’t the same government that granted pardon be blamed for not prosecuting other corrupt officers?
That is at the discretion of the government. Let me tell you, when Alamieyeseigha came from Dubai, he went round the Creeks without guns and all the militants hailed him during the era of President Umaru Yar’Adua of blessed memory. Why will you wish away a man who asked for forgiveness? You can’t wish him away. He’s part of them and what will enjoy today, the 13 per cent derivation fund, Alamieyeseigha and some others assisted us to get it.

We must first of all recognise that we needed this 13 per cent fund at that time. And he said he would make the government of the time uncomfortable if it didn’t grant it and the president conceded. That was one of the reasons they punished the man. The man is alive. The man just came back from Germany and the man was arrested and Nigerians are shouting that the man should not be granted pardon.

Was it in the process of working with him that you were arrested?
No. I was arrested because I’m his friend. Most of his friends were arrested and so, I was arrested and that’s all. I was not prosecuted. I was not asked to go and testify. They just kept me inside the EFCC cell at that time and after sometime, they left us.

The fact that you are a not a member of the ruling party gives you a better platform to assess the war against corruption.
I cannot comment. I can only comment on my own state, Edo State. I can also comment on the development strides across the state. The Federal Government in its own wisdom has its different ways of fighting corruption, maybe the president has a better way and we pray that he succeeds.

What is your view on the merger of your party with some others with the intention of seizing power at the centre in 2015?
The question is not about seizing power. But the issue is let people of like-minds come together. You see, I’m not speaking on behalf of ACN. But as far as I’m concerned, I admire what my leaders are doing. People of like-minds in the political parties are coming together on a single platform to give good government to this country. It is not being formed to remove PDP. It is to give good government to this country.

But how can they provide good government if they don’t seize power?
Yes. But you see, we have seen what the PDP has done and we say let’s have a change. It is not a crime and the parties coming together will even make the party strong. The only way we can get to the next level in this country is to have two party structures. If we can’t do that, one party will rule you for 100 years. But if we have two parties, it will make the government to sit tight.

So, the coming together of the parties including my party is a welcome development and it is something that by the grace of God, will develop into a formidable party that will enable us to go into the poll and Nigerians will decide whether they want A or B. If you want A, it is okay. If you want B, it is fair enough.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/britain-aided-alamieyeseigha-s-pardon-says-senator-uzamere/146016/

I have always argued that u dont fight corruption without institutionalizing the WAC ( war against corruption) . That was the reason the WAI of Buhari cud not live beyond him, cuz they were just using fiat just like OBJ to punish corrupt officials. The man has a point. Chimaroke is there, Jolly Nyame, Orji Kalu, Bankole, Gbenga Daniel. Soo many of them that EFCC made noise of their arrest yet none I mean none has been successfully prosecuted. Even Iweala told Amanpour d oda day that u might get a corrupt official but d judiciary will let him off d hook. I think d man's point is that it wasnt actually bcuz of corruption that Alams was prosecuted.

I dont have the full copy of all that this issue has so far documented since it started in 2005 but am compelled to stop and think a second time with what this opposition party member has got to say even contrary to the popular stance of his party.
I think we should never say a criminal should go free only cos his fellows stole and were left to go. Then our society would become one in which our collective struggle would be to steal since popularity has replaced morality.
But then why did OBJ play all the dirty politics he did in those days with Alams just cos of his garulious interest in the N/D oil? As a Rivers resident, we always heard him coming to RS then to commision street pipe borne water or gas turbine (that never generated 0.01watt of power) only for him to go in and consolidate his oil deals with his crony, the then gov Peter Odili. What has happened to Odili even when Sanusi of CBN has publicly in PH accused him of stealing over 3tr Naira? Would we call this selective justice, or rather, selective injustice?
Alams stood in the way of OBJ to immorally exploit the people, and he went in for it cos he hadnt a godfather. When the problem almost spiralled out of control he 'wisely' selected his then (loyal) Deputy to run for Vice presidency with little or no knowledge that he was setting the people back to recieving what he had taken from them.
If Alams was that bad as he (OBJ) wanted to make us believe why is this 'bad and corrupt' ex-gov still been revered by his people? Why has little or nothing much has been heard of the British govt about this smoldering pardon? Myabe cos UK, thru Shell, is one of the hardest struck by Alams hardstance on oil benefits to the owners of the resource.
Maybe also those big oil thieves in Nig are afraid of this pardon that will bring back their big headache to mainstream!
Whatever the whole truth, I admire the silence and strength of heart of GEJ. He takes the action, you do the talking and street protests, and he clicks on NEXT. Am not one of those who call him weak. Maybe our people are used to strength expressed in too much talking and street protests.
GEJ, AZU-ANU-UKA.
God bless Nigeraia and Nigerians.

1MCN: I dont have the full copy of all that this issue has so far documented since it started in 2005 but am compelled to stop and think a second time with what this opposition party member has got to say even contrary to the popular stance of his party.
I think we should never say a criminal should go free only cos his fellows stole and were left to go. Then our society would become one in which our collective struggle would be to steal since popularity has replaced morality.
But then why did OBJ play all the dirty politics he did in those days with Alams just cos of his garulious interest in the N/D oil? As a Rivers resident, we always heard him coming to RS then to commision street pipe borne water or gas turbine (that never generated 0.01watt of power) only for him to go in and consolidate his oil deals with his crony, the then gov Peter Odili. What has happened to Odili even when Sanusi of CBN has publicly in PH accused him of stealing over 3tr Naira? Would we call this selective justice, or rather, selective injustice?
Alams stood in the way of OBJ to immorally exploit the people, and he went in for it cos he hadnt a godfather. When the problem almost spiralled out of control he 'wisely' selected his then (loyal) Deputy to run for Vice presidency with little or no knowledge that he was setting the people back to recieving what he had taken from them.
If Alams was that bad as he (OBJ) wanted to make us believe why is this 'bad and corrupt' ex-gov still been revered by his people? Why has little or nothing much has been heard of the British govt about this smoldering pardon? Myabe cos UK, thru Shell, is one of the hardest struck by Alams hardstance on oil benefits to the owners of the resource.
Maybe also those big oil thieves in Nig are afraid of this pardon that will bring back their big headache to mainstream!
Whatever the whole truth, I admire the silence and strength of heart of GEJ. He takes the action, you do the talking and street protests, and he clicks on NEXT. Am not one of those who call him weak. Maybe our people are used to strength expressed in too much talking and street protests.
GEJ, AZU-ANU-UKA.
God bless Nigeraia and Nigerians.

Both Senator Uzamere and nairalander 1MCN are entirely wrong over their assertions on Alamieyesegha.

First, it is a shame that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic can open his mouth to say he does not know the position of the party whose flag he is flying in the upper chamber of the national assembly on the Alamieyesegha pardon saga. Does that mean that he does not touch base with his party leaders? Or he does not read newspapers? Even though he is entitled to his own views, he should be ashamed of himself to claim ignorance of the position of his own party on this issue.

Now to the issue of why Alamieyesegha was targetted by Obasanjo. Both Senator Uzamere and 1MCN made several wrong assertions. The 13% derivation was an outcome of the 1995 constitutional conference organized by Abacha. Abdulsalami retained it when promulgating the 1999 constitution. Obasanjo did not start payment immediately, he only started the payment in 2000. Several Niger Delta groups like the South South Peoples Assembly and the Ijaw National Congress prevailed on him to pay the backlog from May 29, 1999 when the 1999 constitution took effect. He refused. Alamieyesegha then was not known to be part of this agitation as he was already a governor and enjoying the lucre of office. In fact, I make bold to say that until his travails in the hands of the UK Police and the EFCC, Alamieyesegha had never been known to be critical of any government in power and was never an active member of any of the vocal ethnic groupings in the Niger Delta fighting for resource control. I dare anyone to prove me wrong on this. The latter day affiliations with the several groups of agitators in the Niger Delta was an afterthought to curry public sympathy after his travails under Obasanjo. I dare anyone to quote any public statement made by Alamieyesegha before he was removed as governor fighting for resource control or improved derivation for the Ijaws. He had always catered for himself and is only clutching at the straws of populism to gain sympathy.
The truth is that Alamieyesegha does not care about his people. He stole them blind while he was governor even when he knows the terrible state of under-development in his native Bayelsa State. He was hounded by Obasanjo who needed a scape goat to convince his international friends that he was serious about his anti-corruption crusade.

And Alamieyesgha was not the one who made Jonathan a vice presidential candidate to Yar'Adua. He had no such influence at the time.

And according to 1MCN, that Alams is reverred by his people is an evidence that he was persecuted because of them! Nothing can be further from the truth. We do not know for sure that majority of Ijaws or Bayelsans actually support him. He's got some followership, just like many evil persons with access to resources. Adedibu, Chris Uba, Arthur Eze, Sani Abacha, all evil men that commanded signficant followership in their own territories while they held sway. It is all a matter of cash and does not connote virtue in any form.

All of this reminds me of the quote often attributed to Joseph Goebbels that "If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth".

Alamieyesegha was not an activist that was persecuted. He was a common thief who got his hands fried.