The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have condemned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to grant presidential pardons to dozens of convicted drug traffickers and smugglers, describing it as a setback to Nigeria’s justice system and anti-drug campaign.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the president’s action was “pathetic and a national disgrace,” arguing that it undermines Nigeria’s ongoing fight against drug trafficking and damages the country’s global reputation.
“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,” the party stated.
According to the ADC, the decision amounts to “an irresponsible abuse of the presidential power of prerogative of mercy,” especially as many of those pardoned had served less than two years for offences that carry life imprisonment.
The party questioned the justification for such clemency, noting that presidential pardons are meant to address miscarriages of justice or reward genuine reformation — not to release dangerous offenders prematurely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Nigeria remains a major transit point for illicit drugs while facing a severe drug-use crisis among its youth population,” the ADC said, citing reports that the country’s drug-use prevalence stands at 14.4%, nearly three times the global average of 5.5%.
The statement also highlighted the sacrifices made by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies in combating narcotics trafficking, warning that the pardons “make a mockery of their sacrifices and weaken the moral foundation of Nigeria’s anti-drug stance.”
The ADC added that Tinubu’s decision could harm Nigeria’s reputation among international partners, suggesting it portrays the country as sympathetic to drug offenders.
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the pardons, calling them a “disturbing misuse” of presidential authority that erodes public trust in justice and governance.
Atiku, in a statement released on Sunday, said the presidential pardon has “provoked outrage across the nation,” noting that while the power of clemency is meant to reflect compassion, it must not be used to excuse serious crimes.
“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,” Atiku said.
He added that the move was especially troubling given Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with insecurity and moral decline, and the devastating impact of drugs on the youth.
“At a time when our nation is battling drug-related offences, it is shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritise clemency for those who have undermined national stability and social order,” he said.
Atiku further cited data showing that about 29.2% of those pardoned were convicted of drug-related crimes, describing the development as “deeply troubling.”
In a sharp rebuke, the former vice president also questioned the moral credibility of the Tinubu administration, referencing past controversies linking the president to drug-related investigations in the United States.
“It is, therefore, no surprise that this administration continues to demonstrate a worrying tolerance for individuals associated with criminal enterprise,” Atiku concluded.
