Buhari's special adviser on corruption says Rochas and Amosun should be pardoned if they show remorse

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari's special adviser on corruption has said that he would like to see Governors Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun allowed to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) if they show remorse for their ant-party activities.

Last month, the APC's national working committee suspended both governors for supporting rival candidates against the party's official aspirants in their respective states. Governor Okorocha supported his son-in-law Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance in Imo State, while Governor Amosun backed Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied People's Movement (APM) in Ogun State.

Both governors remain suspended for now, with some party members arguing that they should be expelled from the APC. However, Professor Itse Sagay, the chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, said he was not in support of further disciplinary action against them provided they show remorse for their actions.

However, Professor Sagay said Governor Amosun should be expelled if his candidate, Mr Akinlade, drags the winner of the election in Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun of the APC, before the elections tribunal. In Ogun State, the APC still won despite the antics of Governor Amosun but in Imo State, the division led to the Peoples Democratic Party winning the gubernatorial polls.

Professor Sagay said: “I don’t think they should be expelled from the party. I think the suspension is enough, provided they express regrets for all they have done and promise not to behave like that again.

“However, in the case of Ogun State, Governor Amosun must ensure that the man whom he sponsored, Adekunle Akinlade, must not challenge the outcome of the election won by Dapo Abiodun, the APC candidate. If he goes ahead and challenges the result by going to the tribunal, then Amosun should be expelled, a that, to me, is going too far."