Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has led his voice to those speaking against the decision of President Jonathan to grant a wanted ex-convict and international fugitive a pardon.
Soyinka, speaking during the inaugural activities of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival described the pardon as an act of impunity and a symbol of corrupt mentality.
He said, “\“On the state pardon granted the former governor, I want to join the bandwagon of the ignorant persons. I am happy to be counted among them. For me, this kind of impunity is not unconnected to the controversy, which has been surrounding the N4bn allocation being sought by the First Lady Mission. It is part of the same corrupt mentality.”
The Laureate said he too was suffering from”sophisticated ignorance” which was what Special Adviser to the President on Media, Reuben Abati, called Nigerians who spoke against the pardon.
He added, “What is going on right now gives the picture of a government that is floundering and justifying the unjustifiable. It amounts to encouragement of corruption. The felon is wanted by the United States Government. We have a case of an officer of the law – a governor – who went to another country and broke the law of the nation. He jumped bail.
“I believe that such a person does not deserve a state pardon. So, I have joined the league of the ignorant persons condemning the act. I criticise and deplore President Jonathan for granting pardon to the former governor.”
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