A former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha, was among those granted state pardon, as the Council of State met at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday. Others were former Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya; former Chief of Staff, Supreme Military Council, Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua; Major Bello Magaji; Mohammed Lima Biu; Shettima Bulama; Major-General Abdulkareem Adisa and Major Segun Fadipe.
It was gathered that the council decided to pardon all those involved in the alleged coup of 1995, as well as post-humous reliefs to Yar’Adua and Adisa, who were convicted by the Sani Abacha-led regime.
On why Alamieyeseigha was pardoned, a source said the former governor had been punished for his offence as governor, but had, in the last eight years, been in the search for peace in the Niger Delta and other areas of the country.
It was learnt that no member of the council raised opposition to the bid to pardon those mentioned.
However, four former heads of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari and Abdusalami Abubakar, were absent at the council, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Those in attendance were General Yakubu Gowon; Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Also in attendance were Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Senate President, David Mark, Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke.
State governors present were Godswil Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Peter Obi (Anambra); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto); Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara.
Governors of Benue, Plateau and Kogi sent their deputies.
Also present were former Justices Idris Kutigi, Alfa Belgore and Dahiru Musdapher.
There was no official briefing after the meeting, though it was learnt that security situation in the country and granting of state pardon to some key Nigerians topped the agenda.
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