greateros: Dr Reuben Abati while speaking about the state pardon granted to former Governor of Bayelsa state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha described the widespread reaction to the pardon as ‘Sophisticated Ignorance’.

The President’s aide explained the constitutional procedure of state pardons and how the decision is reached not just by President but with members of the council of state, hence the utmost use of wisdom in reaching the final decision.

He noted that the conviction of a Nigerian does not mean that such an individual should be locked out of the society.

The state pardon, he claims is to help restore such convicts back in the society.

http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/03/16/nigerians-reaction-to-alams-pardon-is-sophisticated-ignorance-abati/

These guys are running amok. So, Reuben is now abusing Nigerians and the world for critisizing GEJ's blatant support for corruption? Who is wrong here? Nigerians or GEJ?

- GEJ refused to declare his asset
- GEJ frustrated fuel subsidy probe
- GEJ killed Ribadu's report
- GEJ appointed Anenih as NPA chairman
- GEJ pardoned Alam

When GEJ is done with Nigeria, if the country is still one, it will take centuries to rebuild it.

Abacha apart from killing people didnt do half of the above. I just pray we dont begin to hear news of assisination of political opponents as we approach 2015.

mu2sa2: We have known all along that Alamieseghia & co were/are the ones behind niger delta terrorists. All this talk of Alamieseghia being a good guy is all bunkum.

Sure, its people and not angels or demons that are behind every crisis. But they re behind the crisis for a particular reason. In Niger Delta, the reasons are many ranging from environmental to economic. Its also crucial to note that those behind Niger Delta crisis are stil able to tame the boys unlike those behind boko haram

...and the hypocrite bares his mind.How do you live with yourself Reuben Abati,if that is even your real name?

chidexy:

American first family pay for their own food that they eat, but they do not pay for the food that the workers at the white house eat and the secret services and all the other ancillary workers there. Besides, they do not pay for the state functions and dinners hosted by the first lady from their own pocket.

On the Lagos State Budget for food, it's been debated exhaustively on another thread and data provided by the Lagos State budgetary office was shown as enough proof. I must reiterate that there's nothing wrong with budgeting such amounts (in my opinion) either at the federal or state level for feeding and entertainment. After all, that's what perks of office are there for

The only critical acceptance of your previous error and misinformation. So why are we paying Retardeen and his family 1 billion to feed himself and his family?


Now back to the rest of your points and further misinformation on your part. The American government doesn't pay for food consumed by any white house staff or government employee within the walls of the white house so you are wrong again. The only thing the American government pay for is state dinners and receptions for foreign dignitaries.


I repeat, your assertions about the Lagos state's food budget is a lie and you need to stop repeating that lie unless you have something to back it up with.

GEJ will soon fire you.

All the abuse flying about this thread is shocking and beside the point!

What matters is this - At the end of the day, let Alams contest for and win a Senatorial seat! In fact, let them arrange for Alams to become Senate President! He will still remain with the image he cut out for himself always and whenever our then "senator" or whatever wants to visit any place outside these shores, he will require lip-stick, a wrapper and head-gear - that is the real tragedy of the issue - that the Presidency is ready to rubbish all institutions even to the National Assembly to pay off personal debts!

So, basically, it is a moral issue and one which portends ill for this country! Just imagine a Federal Republic of Nigeria "Senator" or National Honors Awardee in handcuffs on CNN and you'll understand this is a sad development. Sadly the current senators are too busy looking for ways to pad their pockets and its when international police start cavoity searches on them in the future that they will realise how such issues malign institutions!

At that time, those screaming sovereignty now, will start the normal chorus - playing the "victim" card!

[quote author=Rossikk]
If YOU got into govt YOU would start to see many things DIFFERENTLY from the way you see them now that you are OUT of govt. NOT necessarily because you're a turncoat or a bad person, but because you'll be viewing things from a totally different ANGLE and PERSPECTIVE.
If you became CEO of a company, you would view things VERY DIFFERENTLY

Mr man, spare us ur crap. He would be forced to resign his appointment had he said this in US or UK. Only in Nig u can insult people and get away

This Abati is gradually turning into a sophisticated foo.l

Rossikk: Yawn... The USA has had 350 years of independence to get that done. Nigeria is just 50. If you cannot wait, go and live in Somalia or Sudan. Like I said, those countries are offering free visas.

Dude,

Stop missing things up how it suits u just to give urself a little edge..... !!!

Corruption is the number one ills of our society though engendered by many variables.......!!!!


The State Pardon by GEJ was a defeat to the struggle against corruption also a bad precedence laid down by Civilian President which when subjected to the sensitivity of average Nigerian tis nothing but NEPOTISM/TRIBALISM::::!!!!


I don't blame Jonathan nor NCS on Alameyeseigha......Nepotism,Favoritism as well as Tribalism are the permutations here in Nigeria those condemning GEJ ''may'' thus do same if they are in GEJ's situation too.......!!!!

That doesn't mean we shd not condemn this, even when such little we could do is only by Virtual means.....!!!


As to the Issue of United States Vs Nigeria on Corruption......It is reasonable,at least to say,If Nigeria perpetrates the Odds of the US then we shd also strive to achieve Her(US) best regardless of 350 or 53years of democracy for each country respectively.....!!!......Afterall we never clock 350yrs to perpetrate same odds as US(in trashing ROSSIKK arguement)
Why must u compare the odds without the Good....!!!


Also,It is total senseless,unreasonable and illogical of U to ask a fellow Nigerian to go to Sudan or Somalia simply cuz they voice out their mind on what they consider ''error in Judgement'' of the so called NCS..!!!

U re No Nigerian than any of them!!!



Reuben Abati is just doing his JOB.......Not all Man can stand for their previous words/works.....!!!!


Maybe somebody will rise-up one day to LIFT our so called ''Nigeria'' from Her Doom...!!!

greateros:

may the gods take away from me anything that will make me turn out to be like Reuben. . .

So u want to be poor

Most commentators are ignorant about presidential pardons as stated by Abati. Most nigerians don't read widely. Presidential pardons even in the US have been extended to all categories of people including drug traffickers, murderers, bank embezzlers, coup plotters, corrupt public officers, thieves of government property etc. The President has the power to pardon anybody he deems fit for such privilege. In the US, the presidential pardon is absolute & cannot be overruled. In Nigeria, the Council of State must ratify the decision. To avoid ignorant comments, nairalanders should research topics carefully before making comments.

I think this man's view is SOPHISTICATEDLY LUGUBRIOUS!

^^una don start again?

Honestly ur perception of things changes when u are on the other side. Dr, Abati has crossed over and is seeing things in a different light. God help Nigeria!

Rueben Abati has completely lost it; he now double speaks. Waoh, how are the mighty fallen. Rueben, was it hunger for food, money, power, position, or what? Your late Guardian Chairman (Ibru) warned you not to accept that position. Everyday I see you losing integrity, now you see nothing wrong with what you once condemned. Ha, you disappoint me. How sad. You now take sides with the thieves you so flogged with your 'big big grammar'. When will your Oga pardon the #5K thief or pardon is exclusively for #billion thieves?

Rossikk: You are a complete disgrace to humanity you dunce. You asked a question about poor criminals. Yes hundreds have been pardoned if you cared to check which you didn't before reaching your dunce conclusion about Nigeria. And we have Many Uk criminals wanted in Nigeria for looting this country blind from 1914 to 1960 so it goes both ways. Thanks.

You must be a very big fool. Apparently you have a relative who is in the goverment or perhaps you are. This only means one thing; both u and that ur criminal-minded relative are like Dr Abati and co. and should all be jailed or wiped out from the surface of the earth. Pain in the ass!

when our oga@ the top have decided, what can we do?

we are in trouble so its not just the president but the whole council of state that are cluelessly ignorant of how to make progressive decisions for Nigeria.

[quote author=taharqa] The way some of you place logic on its head while making sm arguments in public, is just Astonishing!![/
When Nigeria is challenged for doing bad things, we cite USA as an example. When US is a good model to emulate, we say that it's 350yrs, so Naija is still young at 52 and should enjoy the luxury of getting things screwed up until she reaches 300 years. Instead comparing US pardon with ours, let's compare holistically in terms of legal system, punishment, law enforcement, security, jobs, infrastructure, transparency . A US governor wanted (i.e intent) to sell Obama's senate, he got arrested and serving a 14-year sentence in prison. Alams escaped UK and sentenced to about 2 years in Naija. A country that is at the bottom of corruption index, is not supposed to be encouraging corruption as Nigeria has clearly demonstrated.

Rossikk: He actually thinks he made sense there. That's what is astonishing. He's saying we shouldn't pardon anyone till we are 300 years old as an independent nation. Taharqa please how does that make sense? It is obvious these folks have been boxed into a corner, hence the stream of illogical gibberish issuing from them. Sad. By the way Mr adconline, I don't accept for a single minute that Nigeria is far more corrupt than the USA. I think the USA is 1000 times more corrupt than Nigeria. For reasons given on this thread which I don't need to rehash. In fact they are the most corrupt nation on earth by a LONG mile. The USA is like a Mr Big who robs the whole world blind, then builds a mighty palace filled with order, goodies, and loads of nice things. They no longer need to practice poor man corruption of the type seen in places like Nigeria. They've passed that level. But try and threaten their 'interests', ie their loot, for one second, and you'll see their true colours. That's America. Mr Big.

No you are saying that we can pardon all the criminals now because we are 52 and wait for good governance in the next 300years. Stupid argument!
When Nigeria is challenged for doing bad things, we cite USA as an example. When US is a good model to emulate, we say that it's 350yrs, so Naija is still young at 52 and should enjoy the luxury of getting things screwed up until she reaches 300 years. Instead comparing US pardon with ours, let's compare holistically in terms of legal system, punishment, law enforcement, security, jobs, infrastructure, transparency . A US governor wanted (i.e intent) to sell Obama's senate, he got arrested and serving a 14-year sentence in prison. Alams escaped UK and sentenced to about 2 years in Naija. A country that is at the bottom of corruption index, is not supposed to be encouraging corruption as Nigeria has clearly demonstrated.

Your figment of imagination for you to think that US is more corrupt than Nigeria. Ibori was set free by Naija court in Abuja when it was ruled in his favor that it was not him that was caught for stealing. His case again EFCC was tried in Asaba, a federal high created solely for that purpose, he was acquitted and discharged, got arrested in Dubai and sent to UK where he is servin. Bernie Madoff got 150 years for defrauding investors while Mr Yakubu got 2years for stealing from pensioners.

Elai147:

You must be a very big fool. Apparently you have a relative who is in the goverment or perhaps you are. This only means one thing; both u and that ur criminal-minded relative are like Dr Abati and co. and should all be jailed or wiped out from the surface of the earth. Pain in the ass!

You obviously are bereft of debating points due to brain deficiency. Why not address the point I raised? Far easier to bellow ''you are a big fool'' like some big fat brainless idio.t elephant.

God, so na so dis Abati man be? Na wa o.

Now I am fully. Convinced that a hungry man will do anything to eat. The last iota of respect I had for Abati and Okupe are gone. They both need psychiatric examination. Do they listen to themselves, highly disappointed.

adconline:
No you are saying that we can pardon all the criminals now because we are 52 and wait for good governance in the next 300years. Stupid argument!

Don't you have a brain? The nation needs time to develop its institutions. The USA at 50 years had SLAVERY and OPPRESSION embedded in its laws as a matter of state policy. Nigeria has come much further at 50 than the USA did at that age.

A country that is at the bottom of corruption index, is not supposed to be encouraging corruption as Nigeria has clearly demonstrated.

Spare us that corruption index GARBAGE. The USA ought to be right at the VERY TOP of ANY ''corruption index''. Just ask 2 million dead Iraqis, another 2 million dead Vietnamese, 5 million dead Congolese, and God knows how many million dead Afghans, sent to an early grave to assuage the greed of America's monstrously corrupt elite. Nigeria has not pardoned 1/20th the number of criminals pardoned by the US. Criminals who include drug traffickers, fraudsters, terrorists, and embezzlers.

If you are unhappy with the pardon of Alams, that's ok. But don't come here telling us rubbish fairytales about the US. We are not unexposed, wide-eyed admirers of the west here. We are intelligent.

take dat: "But you(Reuben) are as undisciplined as a roaring river, so thou(Reuben) shalt not excel............" Gen 49:4

Using such a puerile, undignified and an uncouth language on Nigerians in his attempt to defend an insensitive and rudderless action of government, speaks volume of an undisciplined, treacherous turncoat whose conscience is in tatters!

first time i quote a post just 2 indicate my like

[quote author=bayooooooo]Abati is now finished! There is no shame in his dictionary again. I used to read this guy along side notable columnists like Edwin Madunagu, Biodun Jeyifo and late Prof Sam Okoye's Science column in the Guardian. That same Abati is now a shameless vociferous defender of unspeakable impunity for what he would have otherwise condemned is heart rending. He was actually writing to be noticed and hired, neither for inspiring change nor based on principles or conviction.



[/quote
Who re you to talk to our OGA AT THE TOP like that? You are unpatriotic,uncivilize,
Uncouth,unacademic,unrefined,unacostomed,undogged,untrustworthy
,Undomocritic...., in fact
, you de craze .ApOlogize NOW! OR MY BIG OGA @ D TOp will send
Dogs after you! Bad bele, jeolosy of AbATI!

Rossikk:

Don't you have a brain? The nation needs time to develop its institutions. The USA at 50 years had SLAVERY and OPPRESSION embedded in its laws as a matter of state policy. Nigeria has come much further at 50 than the USA did at that age.



Spare us that corruption index GARBAGE. The USA ought to be right at the VERY TOP of ANY ''corruption index''. Just ask 2 million dead Iraqis, another 2 million dead Vietnamese, 5 million dead Congolese, and God knows how many million dead Afghans, sent to an early grave to assuage the greed of America's monstrously corrupt elite. Nigeria has not pardoned 1/20th the number of criminals pardoned by the US. Criminals who include drug traffickers, fraudsters, terrorists, and embezzlers.

If you are unhappy with the pardon of Alams, that's ok. But don't come here telling us rubbish fairytales about the US. We are not unexposed, wide-eyed admirers of the west here. We are intelligent.

You are the dumb one here. U cited US as anexample, now you don't want to compare other things that might give rise to US granting pardon. Eg fair trial, indepdent judiciary, law enforcement etc. Lets compare these one by one!
Go and produce your own peer reviewed corruption index.. Saying "I don't believe in TI" does not win debate, rather, it smacks of ignorance and aloofness . Your opinion does not matter cos you are a nobody! You keep mixing things up. Nigeria is not intelligent get it in ur head. Our oil is drilled by foreigners unlike Iran and Venuzuela, our road are built by Arabs and Germans. Intelligent folks fix their country without pointing fingers! I repeat ,No country that is potentially blessed as Nigeria is badly run like Nigeria. Don't tell me Somali or Chad. Let's start with OPEC countries!

Rossikk:

You obviously are bereft of debating points due to brain deficiency. Why not address the point I raised? Far easier to bellow ''you are a big fool'' like some big fat brainless idio.t elephant.

Who is debating with a fool like you. You must be out of your senses and jobless to think that I will have such time. Your debate impediment is your brain. it's still too young. You think the best way to debate is by insulting people? insults are ideal for those odd times that u want to position some know-it-all in their places. However, they shouldn't be used on a regular basis lest you become known as a miserable old git. I see most of your posts. You can't give any reasonable point or contribution except insults. I am not surprised though. What else can one expect from a juvenile imp like u? Nairaland obviously needs to consider age restriction in their registration process. How did u even get access to the internet or a computer? You need to act your age, youngling.

Just to let you know, I may not continue to position u to where idiots like u belong as u are no longer beneath my contempt - it will be a waste of time and definitely not good for the sights of my fellow Nairalanders. U should be sucking on your mother's breast by now as it's getting late and u need to go to bed soon. Have a good night rest Bozo.

Rossikk:

Don't you have a brain? The nation needs time to develop its institutions. The USA at 50 years had SLAVERY and OPPRESSION embedded in its laws as a matter of state policy. Nigeria has come much further at 50 than the USA did at that age.



Spare us that corruption index GARBAGE. The USA ought to be right at the VERY TOP of ANY ''corruption index''. Just ask 2 million dead Iraqis, another 2 million dead Vietnamese, 5 million dead Congolese, and God knows how many million dead Afghans, sent to an early grave to assuage the greed of America's monstrously corrupt elite. Nigeria has not pardoned 1/20th the number of criminals pardoned by the US. Criminals who include drug traffickers, fraudsters, terrorists, and embezzlers.

If you are unhappy with the pardon of Alams, that's ok. But don't come here telling us rubbish fairytales about the US. We are not unexposed, wide-eyed admirers of the west here. We are intelligent.

Who told you that you are among the intelligent Nairalanders A sharp juvenile tongue is no indication of wit or keen intelligence. Rossikk, u must be a FOOL. Act your age, please. Mtchewww

dbride: Rueben Abati has completely lost it; he now double speaks. Waoh, how are the mighty fallen. Rueben, was it hunger for food, money, power, position, or what? Your late Guardian Chairman (Ibru) warned you not to accept that position. Everyday I see you losing integrity, now you see nothing wrong with what you once condemned. Ha, you disappoint me. How sad. You now take sides with the thieves you so flogged with your 'big big grammar'. When will your Oga pardon the #5K thief or pardon is exclusively for #billion thieves?

I think you are getting it wrong. Is Reuben now saying that Alams. didn't commit the crime he once said Alams. committed? If you flogged someone for wrong over a decade now, isn't it possible that person can be forgiven now. A pardon is a confirmation of crime committed and punishment served, and if the convicted fellow now ask for acceptance after serving the punishment from you, it is now left for you to accept or not.

taharqa:

SHUT that your sillly mouth there, you NITWIT. Which USA? Some of you are so stu.pid and damn Ignorant to booth. GOSH!!!

US Presidents have routinely given Pardons to more people with crimes far greater than those of Thief Alams, and in a few instance, in more morally periled circumstances. Hardly any of them have not given Pardons to less than a 100 CRIMINALS (Spies, tax cheats, fraudsters, corrupt persons, murderers, etc, including 'Prisoners of Conscience' of course). How many times has Nigeria, or any country for that matter, expressed 'disappointment' over such pardons??

Bill Clinton's last Executive action in Office (Jan 20, 2001) was to grant Pardon to a former Business partner of his who was linked to the (in)famous WhiteWaters Scandal ( a corruption case which even somehow roped Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary) and also to his own Brother, who had been convicted of Cocaine Possession. Bill Clinton ended up granting I think almost 500 Presidential Pardons.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1318811/Clinton-grants-pardon-for-his-drug-offending-brother.html

President Gerald Ford also granted Pardon to his immediate Boss and preceding President ( Richard Nixon) after the (in)famous WaterGate Scandal (a grand scheme that involved Perjury, Corruption etc at the highest levels of the US Govt); as a matter of fact, he granted the ex-President 'Unconditional Pardon' to prevent him from even been tried in the US Courts for his crimes!! Yea, that right: unlike Thief Alams that was even convicted in our own court, ex-President Nixon was 'forgiven of ALL his sins, known and unknown' by President Ford's Pardon which ensured that he couldn't even be prosecuted. These examples are in no way Exceptional in the history of the granting of Presidential Pardons in the USA. Is this the same country you are 'happy' is criticizing your own country for doing way less than what they have done at various times, including recently??

There is NOTHING wrong ordinarily in granting pardons to CRIMINALS, afterall, Pardons are meant for Sinners and not Saints. GEJ's Pardon to Thief Alams is only wrong to the extent of the peculiar situation of Nigeria ie the Perception it gives about the ongoing 'Fight on Corruption'; and I agree completely on this grounds with people who have criticized this particular decision of GEJ, esp as Perception could often times be as powerful as Reality. However, I insist that we can criticize the decision without further 'foooling' ourselves and taking thrash from HYPOCRITES who do even 'worse' in this respect.

The USA should keep SHUT on this issue; if they dont, then we ought to remind them to so do.

You see, this is the problem of being a copy cat. It is not everything 'Oyinbo' that is good. So tay, some people go de wan speak like 'Oyinbo'

Elai147:

Who is debating with a fool like you. You must be out of your senses and jobless to think that I will have such time. Your debate impediment is your brain. it's still too young. You think the best way to debate is by insulting people? insults are ideal for those odd times that u want to position some know-it-all in their places. However, they shouldn't be used on a regular basis lest you become known as a miserable old git. I see most of your posts. You can't give any reasonable point or contribution except insults. I am not surprised though. What else can one expect from a juvenile imp like u? Nairaland obviously needs to consider age restriction in their registration process. How did u even get access to the internet or a computer? You need to act your age, youngling.

Just to let you know, I may not continue to position u to where idiots like u belong as u are no longer beneath my contempt - it will be a waste of time and definitely not good for the sights of my fellow Nairalanders. U should be sucking on your mother's breast by now as it's getting late and u need to go to bed soon. Have a good night rest Bozo.

If I were you, I wont respond to this guy, talkless this much. Sighting his comments for the first time tells you he's not it at all. I just want to be mild with words.