Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent use of the presidential prerogative of mercy, labeling it a reckless abuse of authority that weakens the principles of justice and accountability in Nigeria.
In a statement shared on his X account on Sunday, Atiku expressed dismay over the presidential pardon that granted clemency to 175 individuals, including notable figures such as the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, Professor Magaji Garba, Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and other members of the Ogoni 9. He argued that this act has reduced what should be a solemn and dignified process to a mere formality.
The pardoned list also encompassed persons convicted of serious crimes like homicide, fraud, and illegal mining, following recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, led by Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Atiku condemned the inclusion of offenders guilty of such grave offenses, warning that it undermines public trust in Nigeria’s judicial system and sends a harmful message to society.
“The presidential pardon is traditionally a solemn constitutional tool, intended to balance justice with mercy and reflect the compassion of the state,” Atiku explained. “When applied judiciously, it reinforces justice and bolsters citizens’ confidence in governance.”
“Unfortunately, the recent clemency granted by the Tinubu administration has had the opposite effect.”
The former Vice President accused the current government of eroding the integrity of the justice system and encouraging criminal behavior by pardoning individuals convicted of serious offenses.
“Granting forgiveness to those found guilty of crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption not only diminishes the sanctity of justice but also projects a troubling image to both Nigerians and the international community regarding the values upheld by this administration,” he stated.
“At a time when Nigeria grapples with escalating insecurity, moral decline, and a rise in drug-related crimes, it is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritize pardons for those whose actions have directly threatened national peace and social stability.”
Atiku highlighted his particular concern about the high proportion of drug offenders among the pardoned, calling this especially alarming given Nigeria’s ongoing battle against substance abuse.
“It is deeply troubling that nearly 30 percent of those granted clemency were convicted on drug-related charges, especially as our youth continue to fall victim to narcotics and the nation strives to restore its reputation tarnished by drug offenses,” he remarked.
He also questioned President Tinubu’s moral authority to issue such pardons, alluding to unresolved controversies linked to the President’s past, including the forfeiture of large sums of money to the United States government amid drug-related investigations.
“The moral contradiction is stark, considering this act of mercy comes from a leader whose history is shadowed by unexplained issues involving the seizure of thousands of dollars by U.S. authorities in connection with drug probes,” Atiku noted.
“It is therefore unsurprising that this administration appears to exhibit a concerning leniency toward individuals connected to criminal activities.”
Denouncing the entire pardon exercise, Atiku described it as “a mockery of the criminal justice system, a betrayal of victims, a blow to law enforcement morale, and a profound wound to the nation’s conscience.”
“Clemency should never be mistaken for complicity,” he emphasized. “When a government absolves offenders of crimes it claims to combat, it undermines the moral legitimacy of leadership and encourages lawlessness.”
He concluded with a call for governance that respects and upholds justice rather than diminishing its significance.
“Nigeria deserves leadership that champions justice, not one that diminishes its value,” Atiku affirmed.
