•Says he received unconditional pardon from late president
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
The controversies surrounding the ineligibility of the All Progressive Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Joshua MacIver, to contest the November 11th governorship poll might have been laid to rest as the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has issued an apology for denying that he received ‘unconditional pardon’ from the late former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
In a letter by the Interim Administrator of PAP, Major General Ndiomu (rtd), and sent through the office of the (SGF), the federal government admitted to the fact that due to the urgency of the confirmation, the Technical and Data Unit of PAP provided information hastily, thereby providing misrepresentation of the presidential pardon status of MacIver.
According to the letter, upon thorough investigation by the federal government, it has been identified that there was an oversight in the records regarding MacIver’s PAP beneficiary status, while regretting any confusion or inconvenience caused by the oversight.
A female governorship aspirant of the APC, Ikisima Johnson, has challenged the eligibility of Maciver and sought his disqualification as the party’s running mate on the grounds that he was an ex-convict, who was sentenced to 10 years prison term for terrorism and sea piracy but escaped from prison without completing his sentence.
In suit number FHC/YNG/CS114/2023/, the APC was listed as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Timipre Sylva, and Joshua MacIver as second, third and fourth defendants respectively.
The PAP letter read: “I am writing in response to your letter with Reference: SGF.19/S/105/178 dated 7 July 2023, as well as this organisation’s reply under Reference OIA/PAP/IAO/VOL V/417 dated 7th July, 2023, concerning Mr. Joshua MacIver’s status as a beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Progromme (PAP).
“I would like to mention that due to the urgency of the confirmation, our Technical and Data Unit provided information hastily, as indicated by the dates of both the received letter and our response.
“Upon thorough investigation, we have identified an oversight in our records regarding Mr. Joshua MacIver’s PAP beneficiary status. It has now been established that Mr. MacIver received an unconditional pardon from the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“We deeply regret any confusion or inconvenience caused by this oversight. Rest assured, we have taken corrective measures to rectify our records and prevent future discrepancies.
“We apologise for any misunderstandings and any inconvenience this misrepresentation may have caused. We remain steadfast and committed in maintaining accurate records for all PAP beneficiaries. Please accept as always, my highest assurances and esteemed regards.”
Reacting to the development, MacIver, said he had always been confident because he was innocent of the allegations levelled against him by the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and urged supporters of the APC to remain steadfast and united against all odds.
He further challenged Governor Douye Diri, to prove his capacity to Bayelsans by engaging his principal and governorship candidate of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, in a public debate at least twice before the election.
