President Bola Tinubu don face heavy backlash from opposition parties and big political figures after him grant presidential pardon to plenty convicted criminals, including drug traffickers.
The Presidency release list on Saturday wey show say 175 people benefit from the 2025 presidential pardon. The list include late nationalist Herbert Macaulay, late Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda wey dem sentence to death for kill her husband.
But wetin cause wahala na say over 30 people wey dem jail for drug trafficking, fraud and other serious crimes dey among the pardoned names.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, call the move “pathetic and national disgrace.” Him say e show say government no serious for the fight against drugs and crime.
“E no make sense to pardon drug traffickers wey never even serve two years for offence wey fit carry life imprisonment,” ADC talk. “E be like say once person show small remorse, dem go free am. E dey mock NDLEA people wey dey risk their lives for this fight.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also vex join. Him say the pardon “spark nationwide outrage” and e show say government no dey respect rule of law again.
Atiku talk say the power of mercy suppose balance justice with compassion, but Tinubu own don do the opposite. “To free people wey commit drug trafficking, kidnapping and murder na insult to justice and to the victims,” him talk.
He even add say about 29 percent of those wey dem pardon na drug offenders — something wey him describe as “shocking and indefensible” when Nigeria still dey battle drug abuse problem.
Atiku still shade Tinubu small, say the pardon carry “moral irony” because of the old U.S. drug-related forfeiture case wey people still dey remember. “No surprise say this government dey show tolerance to people wey get link with crime,” him talk.
He call make the whole clemency process get proper review wey go bring fairness and transparency, saying, “Nigeria need leaders wey go defend justice, no be the ones wey go spoil am.”
