ADC, Atiku, fault Tinubu’s pardon for drug traffickers, others

…as drug convicts lead at 29.2%

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted recent presidential pardon grant to dozens of convicted drug traffickers and smugglers, by President Bola Tinubu and rectified by the National Council of State.

This is just as Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, noted that the power of presidential pardon is a solemn prerogative, a moral and constitutional instrument designed to temper justice with mercy and to underscore the humanity of the state, when properly exercised, it elevates justice and strengthens public faith in governance.

He stated that “clemency must never be confused with complicity.

“A presidential pardon is meant to symbolise restitution and moral reform. Instead, what we have witnessed is a mockery of the criminal justice system, an affront to victims, a demoralisation of law enforcement, and a grave injury to the conscience of the nation.

“When a government begins to absolve offenders of the very crimes it claims to be fighting, it erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness.”

Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Sunday, described the action as “pathetic and a national disgrace.”

The party also warmed that the move is capable of undermining Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts, encourage crime, and further tarnishes Nigeria’s image in the eyes of the world.

It will be recalled that of the 175 persons granted pardon, drugs related cases were the highest at 29.2%, followed by illegal mining— 24.0%, homicide — 13.5%, fraud/corruption — 12.3%.

Hijacking constitutes 5.8%, while firearms — 2.3%, robbery/theft — 2.3%, kidnapping — 1.8%, human trafficking — 1.8%, while others offences is about 5.8%.

According to the statement, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) finds as pathetic and an act of immense national disgrace the recent presidential pardon and clemency granted to several convicted criminals by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The party said the pardon amounts to the “most irresponsible abuse of the presidential power of prerogative of mercy to grant express pardon to dozens of convicts held for drug trafficking, smuggling, and related offences, especially when most of these convicts have barely served two years in jail for offences that carry a penalty of life imprisonment.”

According to official media statements, it appears that all it takes to get presidential clemency for even the worst of crimes in Nigeria, including drug trafficking, gun running, and murder, is to “show remorse and learn skills.”

The party noted that pardons and clemency are granted for their social utility and to correct perceived miscarriages of justice, and to convicts who have paid their debts to society.

The party wondered what Nigeria stands to benefit from this act of clemency to convicts serving life sentences who have barely served two years.

It noted that Nigeria is still regarded as a major transit point for illicit drugs while we face a serious national pandemic of drug use, especially among our youths. Several reports have it that Nigeria’s drug use stands at an estimated 14.4%, almost three times the global average of 5.5%.

“For years, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies have risked life and limb to combat this problem, dismantle illicit drug networks, intercept consignments, prosecute offenders, and secure convictions.

“The men and women in these agencies have laboured under enormous risk and pressure to protect the public from the scourge of addiction, trafficking, and related crimes that carry some of the harshest penalties in Nigerian law, precisely because of their devastating impact on public health, youth development, and national security. Granting clemency to individuals convicted under such laws therefore strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria’s legal and moral stance against narcotics and makes a mockery of the gallant efforts of officers fighting the battle against narcotics and illicit drugs.”

Atiku Abubakar said the latest pardon issued by the Tinubu administration has done the very opposite of what it was expected to achieve.

“The decision to extend clemency to individuals convicted of grave crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption not only diminishes the sanctity of justice but also sends a dangerous signal to the public and the international community about the values this government upholds.

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“At a time when Nigeria continues to reel under the weight of insecurity, moral decay, and a surge in drug-related offences, it is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritize clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability and social order.

“Particularly worrisome is the revelation that 29.2% percent of those pardoned were convicted for drug-related crimes at a time when our youth are being destroyed by narcotics, and our nation is still struggling to cleanse its image from the global stain of drug offences.

“Even more disturbing is the moral irony that this act of clemency is coming from a President whose own past remains clouded by unresolved and unexplained issues relating to the forfeiture of thousands of dollars to the United States government over drug-related investigations. It is, therefore, no surprise that this administration continues to demonstrate a worrying tolerance for individuals associated with criminal enterprise.

“Nigeria deserves a leadership that upholds justice, not one that trivialises it.”