Tinubu’s Pardon Emboldens Criminals, Undermines Justice — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted President Bola Tinubu over what he described as the “reckless and morally indefensible” use of presidential pardon, saying it undermines the nation’s justice system and encourages criminality.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate said the latest exercise of presidential clemency “betrays the spirit of the constitutional power it was meant to uphold.”

According to Atiku, the pardon of individuals convicted of serious crimes such as drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, and corruption “diminishes the sanctity of justice and sends a dangerous signal both to Nigerians and the international community.”

“The power of presidential pardon is a solemn prerogative meant to temper justice with mercy. When rightly exercised, it strengthens public faith in governance,” he said. “Regrettably, this latest pardon by the Tinubu administration has done the opposite.”

He expressed concern that nearly one-third of the beneficiaries were convicted for drug-related offences.

“It is particularly alarming that 29.2 percent of those pardoned were drug offenders at a time our nation is battling narcotics abuse among the youth and trying to cleanse its image from global drug-related scandals,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President also recalled President Tinubu’s controversial past involving the forfeiture of funds to the United States government over drug-related investigations, saying it was “morally ironic” that such an administration would extend mercy to individuals convicted of similar crimes.

“At a time when Nigeria is battling insecurity, corruption, and moral decay, granting clemency to persons convicted for such offences is indefensible. Clemency must never be mistaken for complicity,” he stressed.

Atiku added that the decision had “mocked the nation’s criminal justice system, demoralised law enforcement agencies, and insulted victims of crime.”

“Nigeria deserves leaders who uphold justice, not those who trivialise it,” he said.

President Tinubu had recently approved the release of 175 persons through presidential pardon following the recommendation of the National Council of State.

Among the beneficiaries are Herbert Macaulay, nationalist and political icon; Major General Mamman Vatsa, executed for alleged treason in 1986; former lawmaker Farouk Lawan; and Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death for killing her husband in 2017.

Others include convicted drug traffickers, illegal miners, and foreign nationals.

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, however, said the clemency was based on reports that the convicts had shown genuine remorse and good conduct.