Ijaw Groups Urges President Jonathan To Grant Ibori Presidential Pardon

The members of Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, in Delta State has appealed to president Jonathan to grant presidential pardon to the former governor of Delta state, James Onanefe Ibori before his exit from Aso Rock. Ibori was the governor of of the state from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007 under the People's Democratic Party, PDP. 

 
Mr. Autsin Ozobo, the National President of the IPDI who spoke to newsmen said:

 “Chief Ibori has suffered enough and there is no justification for not granting him clemency, as had been done to 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 discountenanced.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.”