Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to revise the recent presidential pardon list is a mark of courage and responsiveness, not weakness.

The President had on Wednesday ordered the removal of persons convicted for offences such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms from the list of beneficiaries of the federal government’s prerogative of mercy.

Earlier, on October 11, Tinubu approved a presidential pardon for 175 persons following recommendations by the Council of State. Among the beneficiaries was Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death for stabbing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, to death.

Following widespread public criticism, the President reversed Sanda’s pardon and commuted her sentence to 12 years’ imprisonment.

Appearing on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme on Thursday, Onanuga said the President’s decision to act swiftly on public concerns reflects strength and accountability.

“What Nigerians should see is that this president is not one who is afraid to reverse himself if he feels he has made an error,” Onanuga said.
“He’s human. He can make mistakes. But he listens to the people. This is a president who reads Nigerian newspapers every morning, watches television, and stays informed about what’s going on.”

Onanuga noted that Tinubu’s willingness to make adjustments when necessary shows a leader who values public trust and is not rigid in decision-making.

“It’s a matter of strength to make a decision, review it, and make corrections,” he added.

Responding to public uproar over the inclusion of Sanda, the presidential aide admitted that most of the backlash centered on her case, even as some other drug-related offenders remained on the revised list.

“Most criticisms came from the Maryam Sanda case, where the court had sentenced her to death for killing her husband,” Onanuga explained.
“As for drug convicts, some were still granted clemency even after the revision.”

The presidential aide maintained that the Tinubu administration remains committed to justice, equity, and public accountability in exercising the powers of mercy.