US to cut back $600Million funds to Nigeria no thanks t0 Alamieyeseigha's pardon

The United States of America may cut aid to Nigeria following the presidential pardon granted a former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and seven others.

Nigeria is one of the biggest recipients of US aid in Africa. Last year the US gave Nigeria about $226 million in development aid and is expected to spend $600million this year.

Alamieyeseigha was found guilty and convicted of corruption before he was pardoned on Tuesday by the National Council of State after a meeting in Abuja.

The US stated that it was disappointed that those convicted of corruption could be pardoned by the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

It said the move was a setback for Nigeria’s anti corruption crusade.

The Hill, a US newspaper, quoted Victoria Nuland, State Department spokeswoman as saying, “The United States government is deeply disappointed over the recent pardons of corrupt officials by the Nigerian government.

“We see this as a setback for the fight against corruption and also for our ability to play the strong role we’ve played in supporting rule of law and legal institution building in Nigeria, which is very important for the future of the country, obviously.”

Asked if the US could cut off aid, Nuland said it was possible, adding that the pardon put a dent on the collaborative efforts between Nigeria and the US in fight against corruption. NCW