‘Clemency or Complicity?’ — Atiku Blasts Tinubu Over ‘Reckless’ Presidential Pardon
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lambasted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a “reckless and morally indefensible” use of presidential pardon, saying the recent exercise “undermines justice and emboldens criminality.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Atiku said the latest round of clemency granted by the Tinubu administration betrays the true intent of the constitutional power it represents, arguing that it has become “a mockery of justice and a blow to national morality.”
“The recent announcement of a presidential pardon by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, as expected, provoked outrage across the nation,” Atiku stated.
“Ordinarily, the power of presidential pardon is a solemn prerogative — a moral and constitutional instrument designed to temper justice with mercy and highlight the humanity of the state. When properly exercised, it strengthens justice and public trust in governance. Unfortunately, the latest pardon by this administration has achieved the very opposite.”
The former vice president condemned the decision to grant clemency to individuals convicted of serious crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption, warning that such actions “diminish the sanctity of justice and send a dangerous message to both citizens and the international community.”
“At a time when Nigeria is battling insecurity, moral decay, and a surge in drug-related crimes, it is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritise clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability and social order,” he said.
Atiku described as “particularly worrisome” the revelation that nearly a third of the beneficiaries were convicted for drug-related offences.
“It is deeply troubling that 29.2 percent of those pardoned were convicted for drug-related crimes — at a time when our youth are being ravaged by narcotics, and Nigeria is still struggling to restore its global reputation tainted by drug offences,” he noted.
The former vice president also alluded to what he called the “moral irony” of the gesture, pointing out that it comes from “a president whose own past remains clouded by unresolved issues regarding the forfeiture of funds to the United States government over drug-related investigations.”
“It is, therefore, unsurprising that this administration continues to show a disturbing tolerance for individuals linked to criminal enterprises,” he added.
Atiku emphasised that a presidential pardon should symbolise “restitution and moral reform,” not an avenue to absolve offenders of grave crimes.
“This act has become a mockery of our criminal justice system, an affront to victims, a demoralisation of law enforcement, and a deep wound to the conscience of our nation,” he said.
“Clemency must never be confused with complicity. When a government begins to absolve offenders of the very crimes it claims to be fighting, it erodes its moral authority and emboldens lawlessness. Nigeria deserves leadership that upholds justice, not one that trivialises it.”
Recently, 175 individuals received a presidential pardon approved by the National Council of State. Among the beneficiaries are notable figures such as Herbert Macaulay, Farouk Lawan, Maj. Gen. Mamman Vatsa (executed in 1986 over alleged treason), and Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death in 2017 for killing her husband.
Others on the list include drug offenders, illegal miners, white-collar convicts, and some foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, defended the decision, stating that the president granted clemency “based on reports that most of the convicts had shown genuine remorse and maintained good conduct.”
