The United States of America has made it clear that it was not taking matters lightly with Nigeria over the controversial pardon granted the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. The former governor was convicted of corruption but was pardoned by the Federal Government in a controversial manner, seen as one capable of undermining the country’s war against graft.
Speaking at the U.S. Department of State’s daily press briefing in Washington D.C. late Friday, spokesperson for the department, Victoria Nuland, confirmed that the pardon might jeorpardise the governance projects America is executing in Nigeria.
Responding to a question on whether aid to Nigeria might be cut by the U.S. government following the pardon, 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 the rule of law and legal institution-building in Nigeria, which is very important for the future of the country obviously.”
According to the spokesperson, “we have made it clear to 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, but we’re continuing to look at what’s appropriate,” she said.
Here is a transcription of the interview:
QUESTION: Do you have a view on President Goodluck Jonathan’s pardon?
MS. NULAND: Well, thank you for that. The United States Government is deeply disappointed over the recent pardons of corrupt officials by the Nigerian Government. 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.
QUESTION: You’ve expressed that to the Nigerian Government?
MS. NULAND: We have.
QUESTION: Can we just go back to Nigeria for a second?
MS. NULAND: Yeah.
QUESTION: Is there anything more than just deep disappointment that you’re expressing about this? I recall there are sanctions available to use on corruption-related issues. Have you warned Nigerians that aid might be risked or that sanctions might be possible against individuals?
MS. NULAND: We have made it 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, but we’re continuing to look at what’s appropriate.
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