Reactions Trails News of FG’s pardons of ex-Govs Jolly Nyame
Since the News of the Federal Government’s pardon of ex governor Jolly Nyame broke onto Taraba State on Thursday the 14th of April 2022, reactions from diverse quotas have continued to pour in.
Ziti News crew gathered that it was massive jubilation in Zing the home Town of the ex governor as people were seen dancing in groups across the streets.
Also in Jalingo the Taraba State capital, pockets of celebrations among residents was observed.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent a close ally of Rev. Jolly Nyame, Barrister Emmanuel Gowon who expressed joy over the news of Nyame’s Pardon said it has taught politicians a great lesson to conduct themselves properly in any leadership position they find themselves.
Gowon who is a politician and an aspirant for the House of Representative’s ticket for Karim Lamido, Ardo kola, Lau federal Constituency under the platform of the APC said Nyame’s freedom will re-shape the political calculation in Taraba State.
“Jolly Nyame remains the god father of politics in Taraba State, this little mistake came in, but Nyame still remains the best Governor Taraba State ever had, the love for him by Tarabans even increased more and more”
“His coming out now is a great factor in determining the political calculations in Taraba State ahead of the 2023 general elections” he added.
For Professor Jerome Nyame a front line politician and governorship hopeful, Jolly’s release is a win for Tarabans as many have prayed and desired for it to happen.
“To God be the glory, this has been the Ernest desired and answered prayers to Tarabans.
To me, this is a divine arrangement for the political realism of the new dawn in the state; It will be a win win situation to all. Jolly Nyame is an advocate for political fairness, Just like Our Current governor DDI who has insisted on political fairness by upholding zone arrangement of power to move to northern zone” Prof. Jerome added.
According to Dr. Hilkia Bubajoda Mafindi who served in Jolly Nyame’s government the news was a pleasant joyful surprise which made him highly emotional considering their close working relations.
“I am emotional as I speak with you, I can’t even find the right words to express my joy at the moment, my prayer however is that God that has started this will bring it to its logical conclusion” Hilkia said.
On his part, Comrade JJ Kataps who is a former trade unionist and politician, “First of all he (Jolly Nyame) wasn’t supposed to be in jail as compared to the brazen looting of the state treasury as witnessed now”
“Seeing it from the eyes of politics leading up to the 2023 election, one thing is clear, the former Governor still has followership, let me tell you that, what majority of Tarabans are yearning for now is good governance. Tarabans are fed up with the status quo” Kataps added.
According to Innocent umar “my joy is that, for granting him state pardon, that means he is not going to be called or addressed as an ex convict, So he can support and even contest for election if he so desires”
“The narratives will surely change because of his large followership and considering the fact that most of the movers and shakers of Taraba politics have a history with Rev. Jolly Nyame” he opined.
Rev Nyame, who was governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to 12 years in prison by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2018 for stealing N1.6bn from the state’s treasury, a judgment which was also upheld by the Supreme Court.
At the Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday,14th of April 2022, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the council approved 159 out of 162 applications presented for consideration for the prerogative of mercy for convicts and inmates in correctional facilities nationwide.
According to Malami, the council rejected a proposal to grant pardon to one of the prisoners sentenced to 120 years for theft of over N25bn. The pardon, he said, was sought on health grounds. Though the AGF kept mum over the identity of the prisoner in question, a top presidency source identified a former Managing Director of Platinum Habib Bank, Francis Atuche, as one of the people not fortunate to be pardoned.
The Council of State is an organ of the Federal Government responsible for advising the executive on policy matters.
