The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting presidential pardons to dozens of convicted drug traffickers and smugglers, calling the decision ‘a national disgrace’ that undermines Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign and harms the country’s international image.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC stated that the decision constituted ‘an irresponsible use’ of the presidential pardon power, claiming that it could encourage impunity and weaken moral standards.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
The party contended that the majority of the criminals given mercy had spent less than two years of their sentences for crimes punishable by life in prison, and it questioned the criteria used to award the pardon.
“It amounts to a most irresponsible use of the presidential prerogative of mercy to grant express pardon to dozens of convicts held for drug trafficking, smuggling, and related offenses, especially when most of these convicts have barely served two years in jail for offenses that carry a penalty of life imprisonment,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC also voiced worry with the government’s justifications that the recipients had demonstrated remorse and learned skills while in jail, stating that such factors may not warrant early clemency.
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“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. But we wonder what Nigeria stands to gain from this act of clemency to convicts serving life sentences who have barely served two years,” the party said.
The opposition party cautioned that the action could undermine the morale of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security organizations whose officers risk their lives to battle drug-related crimes across the country.
“Granting clemency to individuals convicted under such laws therefore challenges the very foundation of Nigeria’s legal and moral stance against narcotics and could undermine the efforts of officers fighting the battle against illicit drugs,” Abdullahi said.
He pointed out that Nigeria remained a key transit point for illicit drugs, with an estimated drug usage prevalence of 14.4 percent, nearly three times the global norm, and cautioned that the decision could have consequences for public health and security.
The ADC also warned that the pardons could hurt Nigeria’s global reputation and disrupt relationships with international allies in the battle against drug trafficking.
“These pardons send signals beyond Nigeria’s borders. They could affect our standing among global partners in the fight against drug trafficking and create the impression that our country is not fully committed to the global anti-drug campaign,” the ADC added.
The party asked the federal government to take greater prudence when exercising the presidential prerogative of mercy, ensuring that such actions are consistent with the principles of justice and national interest.
“We call on the government to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in the exercise of such sensitive powers,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing justice, integrity, and responsible government in Nigeria.
