Wike Mocks Buhari Over Presidential Pardon Granted To Nyame, Dariye

The Rivers State Governor and presidential aspirant, Nyesom Wike, has berated President Muhammadu Buhari for granting a presidential pardon to former governors of Taraba and Plateau State, Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye respectively.

Wike stated that the presidential pardon granted to the former governors has defeated the fight against corruption campaign by the Muhammadu Buhari government.

He stated that the president’s action has also ridiculed the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

The governor stated that the President should scrap all the anti-corruption agencies in the country following the presidential pardon for persons prosecuted on corruption charges.

In a statement by his spokesman, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike said on Monday while addressing delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State as part of his ongoing consultation to become the party’s flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election.

He said: “This is the same government that complained against the judiciary that it is not fighting against corruption. Now, look at what the judges have passed through; sleepless nights from the FCT High Court to the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, everything is wasted.

“If President Muhammadu Buhari knows that he doesn’t want to fight corruption, then, he should disband EFCC and ICPC because he has thoroughly embarrassed them.

“So, all these things he (Buhari) is doing is because of the election coming soon. They want this person in Plateau State to help them and they want this person in Taraba State to help them, but it will not work because Wike will face them in that election.”

Wike also slammed presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, for saying that he was invited to the meeting but refused to come.

The governor also dismissed the defence put up by Shehu on why the presidential pardon should not be faulted.

He said: “So, when his pressman said I was invited to the Council of State, is it because I’m not there, that is why they did what they did? the governor asked. “If you wanted me to contribute, you would have sent me the agenda. Then, I would have known what I’m coming to do in the meeting.

“It’s not when you don’t send me agenda, I come, then you boxed us in, ambushed us, then you said I attended the meeting where they approved it. I will not attend such a meeting. When they said my deputy attended and when they looked back, they could not see my deputy again.

“Why would you see her? When she had seen what was there, she had to switch it off because she knew it was a ‘wayo’. That is what this APC government is known for.”