Speaking on our breakfast television programme, Sunrise Daily Mr Uranta, stated that the former governor who has remained a prominent Ijaw leader, played a prominent role in the prevailing amnesty that has restored peace to the Niger Delta and therefore deserves the pardon.
“Alamieyeseigha contributed enormously to the on-going amnesty in the Niger Delta and every Nigerian is currently benefitting from because via the increased crude oil production that has doubled after the amnesty” he said.
“He played a great role in helping to keep peace in the country and he done his time in prison” he added.
Minority card
The Presidential ally also drew the ethnic sentiment when he asked that “should Alamieyeseigha not be pardoned because he is a minority?”
He further asked why there is no similar brouhaha over the other beneficiaries of the pardon that came from other major tribes in the country.
“Why the focus on Alamieyeseigha when coupists are amongst those that were pardoned?”
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JIMI DISU: I must admit that TONY URANTA made a point I had never thought of in my initial reaction to the pardon granted ALAMS,in fact i am sure that even the President might begun to think that maybe he should have hired his friend Tony to do okupes job,rather than the bulldog attitude of okupe.Tony Uranta is the presidents man,and he is wont to stand by his principal anytime.Nothing wrong with that. It is when he wants to carry the argument further by using the ethnic card that my fears for 2015 seem to be justified,these folks will take no prisoners,Tony himself knows that the uproar against Alams has nothing to do with his being a niger deltan.Like the case of Ibori,general nigerians are just appalled at the brazeness with which these people have looted their states and seem to be getting away with it.For example whilst we acknowledge that Alams is playing a good role in bringing peace to the niger delta,was it not the theiivng acitivities of his,pocketing money that was supposed to be used for development that created the crisis in the first place.Tony also makes a valid point that there had been similar pardons in the past,and my reaction is, does that make this one right?The truth is, the president needs Alams in 2015,and its payback time,and no prisoners will be taken for Mr Jonathan to remain in aso rock in 2015.
Are we persecuting Alams because he is from the niger delta?Tony, of course not, because in any case it wasnt our money that was stolen it was the resources of the niger deltans that have been plundered and we are on the side of our brothers and sisters in the niger delta, and not those of them who are feeding fat on a struggle that benefits only them and keeps their people in abject poverty.
Am highly disappointed in Tony Uranta-one of D foremost niger-delta activist. So their activism den was all centered in dire pockets. Comrade Joseph Eva, is also one of D niger-delta activist dat has nt only disappointed himself, but nigerians. So it means they were all fighting 4 their pockets during all D struggle, den they posed as disciplinarians n people of integrity wit gud sense of dignity not knowing they were tribalistic, biased n bloodly gluttons who just a million of naira could color dire thoughts and values. D print media doctor, Dr. Rueben Abati is also one them. These were people crying 2 D high heavens cos of corruptn n injustice in D land. No wonder D bible calls “money” D root of all evil. So one can’t really look up 2 anybody in present day nigeria, cos they wil all change wen money is involved. God deliver our “so-called role models/mentors” from D grip of “mammon”
Am highly disappoint in Tony Uranta-one of D foremost niger-delta activist. So their activism den was all centered in dire pockets. Comrade Joseph Eva, is also one of D niger-delta activist dat has nt only disappointed himself, but nigerians. So it means they were all fighting 4 their pockets during all D struggle, den they posed as disciplinarians n people of integrity wit gud sense of dignity not knowing they were tribalistic, biased n bloodly gluttons who just a million of naira could color dire thoughts and values. D print media doctor, Dr. Rueben Abati is also one them. These were people crying 2 D high heavens cos of corruptn n injustice in D land. No wonder D bible calls “money” D root of all evil. So one can’t really look up 2 anybody in present day nigeria, cos they wil all change wen money is involved. God deliver our “so-called role models/mentors” from D grip of “mammon”
I simply could not believe my eyes and ears when i heard of the pardon. then i laughed at the fight against corruption. ha ha ha. it goes against every moral principle. #smh
Hmmm; Nigeria is in trouble! I cant believe what i am reading; instead of us to be unanimous in condemning this disrespectful slap on our face we are playing parochial and tribal cards; what has Alams state of origin got to do with this; Yorubas are the most critical people against OBJ; granting pardon to Alams is the official end to GEJ’s fight against corruption!
To make the matter worse; an ACN senator from Edo state is part of the people supporting the action; these are the people forming the so called mega party? wahala dey o
It’s a pity we’ve found ourselves in nigeria participating in the theatre of the absurd. justifying state pardon for Alams? On what grounds? That the president has the constitutional rights; that Alams played a key role in obtaining amnesty for niger deltan militants; that it’s his right as a minority… what is clear from this is that the politiciams & activists are confusing young nigerians to know what is ethically right. who created the militants? is it not the work of the hands of these leaders? the president could as well grant state pardon to all those who are in our jails so that we could have empty prisons. may be that will make nigeria become a country of saints in the comity of nations!
It’s a pity we’ve found ourselves in nigeria participating in the theatre of the absurd. justifying state pardon for Alams? On what grounds? That the president has the constitutional rights; that Alams played a key in obtaining amnesty for niger deltan militants; that it’s his as a minority… what is clear from this is the politiciams & activists are confusing young nigerians to know what is ethically right. who created the militants? is it not the work of this leaders? the president could as well grant state pardon all those who are in our jails so that we could have empty prisons. may be that will nigeria become a country of saints in the comity of nations!
Mr.Tony is a clown.I wil reply him wit Fela song “d young afriicans get 2eyes 4 head dem get 2ears,dem dey see d tin wey dey happen dem dey hear am too”. We wait 4 2015 to come wit no fear 4 d worst to happen.
I think Tony should be told to reflect on the effect of Alams crime to this country and the Niger Deltans which I belong to. When we stop this sentiment of ‘na my own’, I believe things will be better in this country. Why should anybody in its right sense support a state pardon given to a thief(International as well as local). A man who disguised as a woman just to avoid the law in UK. Somebody who brought shame to this country. Is Tony saying we can celeberate criminality in this country now. No wonder a pension thief was given 750, 000 Naira fine for stealling 23Billion. Afterall both the presidency and the police are still finding it difficult to produce Maina. Is Tony not seeing that the reason we are suffering today was because we voted out of sentiments in 2011. 2015 is by the corner. Nigerians, shine your eyes
President Jonathan’s right to exercise the prerogative of mercy is not in question; it is the timing, the beneficiary and the manipulation that is of concern. What kind of anti-corruption war leader grants pardon to a convicted corrupt public official when the sincerity of his government’s stance against corruption is seriously being questioned. Let Alams take Jona seriously enough and travel to Britain, if he doesn’t get the Ibori treatment, then the pardon is deserved. His name shd be pencilled down for a fresh national award and govt shd ask Britain to refund to him all his property, including his Rolex that was confisicated when he disguised out of Britain.
Roforofo fight don start.Why do we sacrifice common sense on the altar of tribal jingoism in Nigeria? People like Alams should not be seen or heard in saner climes.If it were in Japan, he would be required to commit ritual suicide [harakiri]to restore honor.What a shame!
If dictatorship actuaully died with Abacha / Abudusalam Abubaka, if democracy is truely transpirant today in Nigeria, then our presidency should listen to voice of the people and grant pardon and bail to whom it is due.
I beg to differ matins with all due respect that the other weren’t convicted for corruption, the others were convicted for a phantom coup we aren’t sure even took place. Even if you were to support the actions of the president…. The timing is horrible and his agents have displayed lack of total respect for the electorate as if 2015 is already assured and sealed. Or is there something we don’t know?
Uncle Jimi, I suppoted Tony in his argument. We are using sentiment to cover the whole issue. Why are people not mentioning others that were pardoned, why only Alams? Is it because he is from the president home state? Can we say the president deviated from the law? Is morality not different from law again? It is a decision of the council of states including the oppositions. I think we are just trying to use cow to settle matter that ought to be settle with a bottle of coke. It is the constitutional right of the president to grant pardon to anybody, even governors and CJ do give pardon to harden criminals in prison. Let concentrate on others issue jare
I wonder why Mr Tony Uranta has continuously shown a lack of integrity in matters of great concern . I don’t mind you defending your principal who i hope loses in the coming elections but can you do it with dignity knowing fully well that you audience is largely educated . Well i don’t blame you, in Nigeria elections aren’t won but bought…
Tony Uranta, i used to think that you were oone of the few sensible people from the Niger-Delta but now i know better. Shame on you and your likes.
This is one of the most unbelievable act of the president. I some times wonder the kind of person we have elected to be our leader. What signal is he sending out to Nigerians and the world at large, that corruption is part of Nigerians? Wow! So much for a PHD holder.Alams of all people! No wonder they added the names of the phantom coup ploters of the Abacha era, to justify the pardon and that is what Uranta quickly made refrence to. Na wa ooo! What hope for Nigeria?
Every region in Nigeria play the ethnic card and Thats why we aint moving farword