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 Associated Press reports.
Quoting a statement issued on Friday night, the report said Nigerian officials filed an urgent request to speak to the U.S. deputy chief of mission over what it described as “meddlesomeness.”
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.
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.

tgoo315: a bad decision...yes but its really noboby's business...if we have been self reliant no govt wld have d boldness to b Judge over us..but we r cowed cos we know how bad n brainless we hav chose to be...

Chanchit: First I felt insulted by the way d Americans interfered in the matter, but after reading the article I think they have the right to interfere since the government has sold part of our country to them. If they give $236m and $600m to Nigeria in aid, then they have to cry foul when criminals are pardoned.

Vision2017: The United States Government is right in their action and I am using this opportunity to appeal to the United state government to help out outsted goodluck jonathan regime by sponsoring genuine militants with arms same way it did in Libya so that jonathan's administration can be outsted for good and let genuine peace and glory come to Nigeria. No doubt, Jonathan's administration is inimical to the peace and progress of Nigeria and should be flushed out immediately

Chanchit: First I felt insulted by the way d Americans interfered in the matter, but after reading the article I think they have the right to interfere since the government has sold part of our country to them. If they give $236m and $600m to Nigeria in aid, then they have to cry foul when criminals are pardoned.

Mr. Garri.:
The hypocrisy of some Nigerians is‎​ laughable. When US or other foreigners commend GEJ you fools don't accuse them of being MEDDLESOME, now they're criticising you and you're talking rubbish..

GEJ messed up and he deserves all the knocks he'll be getting!!

babe_online: Goodluck should be impeached. He is ruining Nigeria. He is the mugabe of Nigeria and a betrayer.

Toaskarity:

Through out my 18yrs in nigeria I dint smell any damn aid talk more! Yet I hear america give this! give that! Where the fu..c.k is the money. Did those money sink in pacific ocean? Moreover Im yet to see real nigerians begging them for money, anymoney they give is in their favor for votes in un and etc..

coolkris: It is not president jonathans fault..am sure he has another oga at the top the influences his ideas

thoth: I really miss the days of the Great leader Gen Sani Abacha. who asks the USA for Aid then ? who needs their input ? who even travels there for their blessings,validations and advice ? Maybe Obasanjo and Jonathan but i know Gen Abacha has no time for all that nonsense. he lead a nation that is to be respected, feared and dealt with with caution. he stands head to head with world leaders and made policies of Nigeria first, created stable west Africa through ECOMOG thereby keeping direct US/European Military interventions far away.... well, what do we have now ?