Mr Alamieyeseigha, under whom Mr Jonathan served as deputy governor, died on October 10, 2015, at the age of 62, barely two years after the pardon.
Mr Adoke, in a book titled “Burden of Service,” presented to the public last weekend, described the pardon as one of the most controversial decisions of the Jonathan administration, “especially because the late governor was the former president’s benefactor and predecessor.”He said Mr Alamieyeseigha nominated Mr Jonathan as his running mate in 1999, leading to him becoming the deputy governor.
Mr Adoke, however, explained that contrary to the views held by some Nigerians, the pardon was not initiated by Mr Jonathan who he said was beholden to Mr Alamieyeseigha.He said Mr Alamieyeseigha was to be granted the pardon by Mr Yar’Adua after his release from jail but that this could not materialise as the president fell ill and died.“When Jonathan became President in 2010, Alamieyeseigha renewed his appeal for pardon. President Jonathan was in moral dilemma.
“The Amnesty Programme had also taken root, thereby leading to relative peace and stability in the area. In a manner of speaking, Alamieyeseigha had earned his pardon.”Mr Adoke, who has been declared wanted by the court for his alleged roles in the Malabu OPL 245 scandal, said Mr Jonathan subsequently passed on the request to him as the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.
He said he reminded the government that Mr Alamieyeseigha’s conviction was based on corruption and the administration was heading into an election.“President Jonathan agreed with my reasoning and communicated these sentiments to Alamieyeseigha, outlining why a pardon would not be feasible at the time,” Mr Adoke said.
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