Tinubu Faces Intense Criticism Over Presidential Pardon for Convicted Criminals

Tinubu is currently facing intense criticism over presidential pardon for convicted criminals.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that opposition parties and political leaders, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to grant presidential pardons to dozens of convicted criminals, including drug traffickers.

The critics described the move as a serious setback to Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts and a blow to the principles of justice and accountability.

ALSO: Atiku Expresses Worry as Nigerian Youths Lose Hope Over Hardship and Bad Governance

The Presidency, on Saturday, published a list of 175 individuals granted clemency under the 2025 presidential pardon. Those named included the late nationalist Herbert Macaulay, the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for killing her husband.

The pardon also extended to over 30 convicted drug offenders and others jailed for crimes such as homicide, fraud, and illegal mining, sparking public outrage and political backlash nationwide.

In a statement issued on Sunday, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the decision as “pathetic and a national disgrace.” He said it undermines Nigeria’s war on drugs, emboldens criminal behaviour, and damages the country’s international reputation.

“The African Democratic Congress 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,” Abdullahi said.

“It is a gross abuse of presidential powers to pardon dozens of convicts found guilty of drug trafficking, smuggling, and related offences—particularly when most of them have barely served two years for crimes that carry life imprisonment.”

He added that the pardon sends a troubling message that “remorse and token rehabilitation” are now sufficient grounds for freedom, even for serious offences.

The controversy continues to stir heated debate across political circles and civil society groups nationwide.