Atiku Slams Tinubu: Pardoning Drug Traffickers, Murderers Undermines National Security

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting pardon to some Nigerians, saying the president’s action has rubbished the nation’s justice system.

The top apposition leader in the country and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Presidential candidate noted that it was wrong for Tinubu to grant clemency to some of those pardoned, among who are convicted drug  traffickers, murderer, kidnappers, saying the president has send wrong signal that he’s not serious about fighting crime in the country.  ,

According to Abubakar, the Presidential pardon is expected to be exercised in such a manner that strengthens public faith in the government, adding that the opposite  is the case with those the president granted pardon this week, noting that the action has the capacity to undermine national security.

Part of the statement reads, “The recent announcement of a presidential pardon by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, as expected, provoked outrage across the nation.

“Ordinarily, 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.

“Regrettably, the latest pardon issued by the Tinubu administration has done the very opposite. 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.

“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% per cent 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.

“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.

“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 the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessnes,” Abubakar said.

The magazine reports that President Tinubu granted pardon, with the approval of the National Council of State, to the late Environment activist, Ken Saro Wiwa, and other Ogoni activists killed under the brutal regime of Gen. Sani Abacha, the list also include Gen Mamman Vatsa killed for plotting a coup against the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida; former lawmaker Farouk Lawan among others. The pardon has however generated serious controversy in the country.