NATIONAL Publicity Secretary
of the ruling All Progressives
Congress, APC, Bolaji Abdullahi,
has attributed former President
Goodluck Jonathan’s failed bid
to win the presidential election in
2015 to the state pardon he granted
late ex-Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha.

Abdullahi stressed that
that singular act made the
international community to turn
against Jonathan during the 2015
presidential election.

Abdullahi, a former Sports
Minister under Jonathan, stated
this claim in his upcoming book,
‘On a Platter of Gold: How
Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria.’
Alamieyeseigha was the Bayelsa
State Governor from 1999-2005 and
was arrested in London in 2005
over claims of money laundering,
where it was then alleged that
about £1 million cash was found
in his London home, and later
another £1.8 million in cash and
bank accounts.
He was subsequently convicted
and jailed on corruption charges in
2007.

However, the then
administration of Jonathan granted
him presidential pardon in March,
2013.

In his book, Abdullahi noted
that the amnesty pardon was the
turning point for the international
community, adding that it was
Jonathan’s original idea to pardon
his former boss.

“Of all the issues, the one that
perhaps rankled the Americans
more than any other was the
March, 2013 pardon for Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha. The former
governor of Bayelsa State had,
in July, 2007, pleaded guilty to
charges of corruption and money
laundering brought against him by
the EFCC and was subsequently
sentenced to two years in prison.
However, because he had already
spent two years in custody, he was
deemed to have served his time
and was allowed to go,” he wrote.
Abdullahi wrote: “While
Jonathan is often credited or skewered for his former
boss’ rehabilitation, the move
was actually initiated by late
President Yar’Adua who knew
Alamieyeseigha from their time as
governors and who also believed
that the former governor’s release
would help the amnesty deal
that he was putting together in
the Niger Delta. Despite his fall
from grace, the former governor
remained hugely popular with the
militants.

“Shortly after becoming
president, Yar’Adua sent word to
his former colleague through Vice
President Jonathan that he was
worried about Alamieyeseigha’s
state of health and would not
like him to die in prison. The
president offered a lifeline – if
Alamieyeseigha would agree
to plead guilty and forfeit the
majority of his assets and monies
to the federal government. On July
25, Alamieyeseigha pleaded guilty
before a Federal High Court judge
on the proposed terms and was
released from Ikoyi Prisons the
following day.

“Jonathan and a number of
other politicians began to push
for a presidential pardon for
Alamieyeseigha. Yar’Adua was
initially receptive to the idea
until he received information
that the former governor had
teamed up with the president’s
political rival, Atiku Abubakar,
a behaviour Yar’Adua was
disinclined to reward. Fate would
however remove Yar’Adua from
the equation and bring Jonathan
in as president. From then on,
Alamieyeseigha’s pardon became
only a matter of time. Jonathan
was hugely popular at home and
abroad before the 2011 election. He
was therefore, advised not to grant
the pardon, so as not to damage
his brand – especially in the eyes
of the international community
which regarded him as somewhat
different from the traditional pack
of Nigerian politicians. But the
time would come.

“Jonathan did not have any real
constituency or political structure
of his own in Bayelsa. And so,
with his eyes on the 2015 election,
granting the pardon to a politician
who remained very popular in
the state would be a masterstroke,
whether this was the intention
or not. It would also be a good
way to generate real support for
himself in Bayelsa where he faced
serious political challenge from his
successor, Timipre Sylva. When
Jonathan raised the matter at the
National Council of State there was
not a single dissenting voice. Even
if there was, it was not likely to
matter under the circumstance.

“One South-South governor
who spoke strongly in support
of the proposal argued that
Alamieyeseigha had, more than
anything else, been a victim
of political persecution by
former President Obasanjo. The
announcement of the pardon was
met with wide condemnation, with
former Chairman of the EFCC,
Nuhu Ribadu, declaring it as the
‘final nail’ in the coffin of the fight
against corruption under Jonathan.
The president responded with an
uncharacteristic bullheadedness,
saying he owed no one any apology
for his action.


The Americans condemned the
pardon and even threatened to cut
aid to Nigeria. Rather than punish
innocent Nigerians by cutting aid,
perhaps America decided to bid
its time – until the opportunity
presented itself to hit Jonathan
where it hurt.


http://nigerianpilot.com/state-pardon-alamieyeseigha-caused-jonathans-failed-re-election-bid-abdullahi/

This Abdullahi is saraki boy

He's as corrupt like his master

that means our votes don't count. because many Nigerians don't know this.

So the US was involved in meddling with our elections and now complain that Russia messed their up?

NOT BOOK HARAM AGAIN

So is Buharis personal pardon of Buratai, Babachir, Maina , Lamorde and DCP Danjuma going to cost him his job too?

sarrki:
This Abdullahi is saraki boy

He's as corrupt like his master

AND PROPHET BUHARI IS A SAINT ABI. SARRKI I WISH SAY I GO SEE YOU MAKE I BEAT NONSENSE COMOT FOR YOUR HEAD

You people should allow the otuoke man enjoy mama peace in peace naa