Opposition parties and political figures, have upbraided President Bola Tinubu for granting presidential pardons to some felons, including drug traffickers.
The critics described President Tinubu’s decision as a national disgrace and a dangerous affront to justice and morality.
Recall that the Presidency on Saturday released a list of 175 individuals granted the 2025 presidential pardon, namely the late nationalist Herbert Macaulay, the late army officer, Major General Mamman Vatsa, convicted of coup plotting by the military administration of President Ibrahim Babangida, and Maryam Sanda, who was handed a death sentence by a court for killing her husband.
On the list also were 30 convicted drug offenders and other criminal offences including fraud and illegal mining.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, called the move “pathetic and a national disgrace.”
He said it undermined the nation’s war against illicit drugs and encouraged criminality, while damaging the country’s international reputation.
ADC said the action amounted to “a most irresponsible abuse of the presidential power of prerogative of mercy”.
The party deplored the fact that most of the convicts had barely served two years in jail for crimes that attract life imprisonment.
It said such moves would send a disturbing message that remorse and token rehabilitation are now sufficient grounds for freedom, even for serious crimes.
The party said it appeared all it took to get presidential clemency for even the worst of crimes in Nigeria was to show remorse and learn skills.
It reminded President Tinubu’s administration that the purpose of pardon and clemency was to correct miscarriages of justice and reintegrate those who had genuinely paid their debt to society and not to excuse dangerous offenders.
The party said granting clemency to individuals convicted of drug offences made mockery of the sacrifice of drug law enforcement agents who risked their limbs and lives to apprehend the criminals.
ADC said the impression has now been given to the world that Nigeria, under President Tinubu, is sympathetic to drug dealers and a safe haven for traffickers.
Prominent politician, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar also sided with those criticising Tinubu.
He said the presidential power of mercy was intended to balance justice with compassion, but its misuse would weaken confidence in the rule of law.
The politician said extending clemency to people convicted 0f serious crimes such as drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, and corruption diminishes the sanctity of justice.
He said it also sends a dangerous signal to both the public and the international community.
Atiku said the decision was shocking and indefensible at a time when Nigeria was grappling with insecurity, moral decay, and a surge in drug-related crimes.
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