By Emma Amaize
WARRI—AN Ijaw group, the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative,
IPDI, in Delta State, weekend, called on President Godluck Jonathan to grant
presidential pardon to the former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori,
before his exit from Aso Villa, next month.
National President the group, Mr. Austin Ozobo, in
interactive with newsmen, said: “Chief Ibori has suffered enough and there is
no justification for not granting him clemency, as had been done to others.”
Ozobo said Ibori was not the only
corrupt leader in the country, but unfortunately, he has undergone
indescribable hardship more than others.
“Ibori should be freed. Hundreds of
persons, who looted heavily from government coffers are walking freely in the
streets. The continuous incarceration of one corrupt man among a million other
corrupt citizens cannot change the menace of high level corruption in the
country.
‘’Ibori’s imprisonment could be seen
as a witch-hunt and such is highly barbaric and provocative and the Nigerian
government must quickly do something about his matter. ‘’Despite the ordeals
Ibori is passing through, Deltans hold him in high esteem and his great
achievements while in office cannot be discountenanceded.
‘’There should be no sacred cow
among political office holders. Ibori’s case is not different, he is a victim
of circumstances. Release him and let him breathe fresh air and let other
corrupt public office holders be tried as well.”
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