Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, granted Presidential Pardon to his former Oga At The Top, and one of his aides was quick to shift the blame to the Council of State. Well, here’s what the constitution says. And more…
What does the Nigerian constitution say about #PresidentialPardon? Who makes the decision? Does Council of State vote, or just advise? 1/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
S175. (1) (a) – (d) says the President may grant any person a pardon, a respite, substituted punishment or remit punishment imposed. 2/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
S175. (2) “Powers of the President under sub(1) of this section shall be exercised by him after consultation with the Council of State” 3/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
S175. (3) “President, acting in accordance with advice of the Council of State, may exercise his powers under sub(1) of this section…”4/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
There we have it. Based on the constitution, only one (wo)man makes the FINAL decision on who to grant #PresidentialPardon. GEJ did it. 5/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
Now, an important question. Is there any archive showing who was pardoned by which president? That’s the list I wish to see right now. 6/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
The historic #PresidentialPardon list *may* show a trend. But even if it does, this was a reckless decision considering the context. 7/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
A nation fighting corruption, and where the Commander-in-Chief has been accused of toying with such, shouldn’t pardon corrupt kinsmen. 8/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
The timing of this use of (albeit) constitutional power makes it both insensitive and politically dangerous. Might heat up the polity. 9/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
But for a president who dared citizens to protest and turned around to tag them “opposition,” no heat is worrisome. He’ll do it again. 10/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
In a democracy, there are ways to check the abuse of (even) constitutional power, but the Nigerian centre is too powerful and corrupt. 11/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013
For this #PresidentialPardon case, hope for future sanity rests on reaction from organised civil society, Nigerian citizens. Quo Vadis?12/12
— ‘Gbenga Sesan (@gbengasesan) March 12, 2013