In a statement on Sunday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the action as “pathetic and a national disgrace.”
.jpg)
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to grant presidential pardons to several convicted murderers, drug traffickers, and smugglers.
Recall that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration released a list of all 175 beneficiaries of the President’s pardon and clemency. The list was released in a press statement on Saturday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In a statement on Sunday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the action as “pathetic and a national disgrace.”
It warned that the move undermines Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts, encourages crime, and further tarnishes Nigeria’s image in the eyes of the world.
The statement read: “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.
“It amounts to a most irresponsible abuse of the presidential power of prerogative of mercy to grant express pardon to dozens of convicts held for drug trafficking, smuggling, and related offences, especially when most of these convicts have barely served two years in jail for offences that carry a penalty of life imprisonment.
“According to official media statements, it appears that all it takes to get presidential clemency for even the worst of crimes in Nigeria, including drug trafficking, gun running, and murder, is to “show remorse and learn skills.”
“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 benefit from this act of clemency to convicts serving life sentences who have barely served two years.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Nigeria is still regarded as a major transit point for illicit drugs while we face a serious national pandemic of drug use, especially among our youths. Several reports have it that Nigeria’s drug use stands at an estimated 14.4%, almost three times the global average of 5.5%.
“For years, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies have risked life and limb to combat this problem, dismantle illicit drug networks, intercept consignments, prosecute offenders, and secure convictions. The men and women in these agencies have laboured under enormous risk and pressure to protect the public from the scourge of addiction, trafficking, and related crimes that carry some of the harshest penalties in Nigerian law, precisely because of their devastating impact on public health, youth development, and national security. Granting clemency to individuals convicted under such laws therefore strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria’s legal and moral stance against narcotics and makes a mockery of the gallant efforts of officers fighting the battle against narcotics and illicit drugs.
“These pardons also send reverberations beyond Nigeria’s borders. They undercut our standing among global partners in the fight against drug trafficking and give the unfortunate impression to the rest of the world that our country, under President Tinubu, has particular sympathy for drug dealers and that Nigeria is a risk-free jurisdiction for traffickers in narcotics.”
The party pointed out that with the mass clemency for drug dealers, Tinubu and the APC are redefining the standard of morality in Nigeria.
According to the ADC, they are gradually transforming Nigeria into a country where anything goes, where even the worst of crimes attract no punishment beyond a few months of inconvenience for the criminal to, by their assessment, “show remorse.”
The ADC stated that its mission is to rescue Nigeria from the APC, to whom public opinion or accountability means nothing, and power and impunity mean everything.
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
Nigeria’s Economy Under Tinubu: The First Phase Was Stabilisation, Now Comes the Second Phase
By Idowu Ephraim Faleye +2348132100608 MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Nigeria has moved from trying to save its economy to the next difficult task of making the economy work for ordinary people. The major economic figures are improving. Government revenue has increased, and state governments are receiving much more money than they received before. Yet many Nigerians…
-
El-Rufai Has Spent Seven Months In Detention Without Conviction – Emir Sanusi
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Sanusi said Nigeria already has institutions and courts responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, but alleged that political considerations sometimes influence how such cases are handled. The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has raised concerns over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying he has spent…
-
New world record for longest dance marathon set by Nigerian dancer
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Benjamin Daniel, known as Ben Dancer, danced continuously for 168 hours. LAGOS, Nigeria — A Nigerian dancer has broken the world record for the longest individual dance marathon. Benjamin Daniel, known as Ben Dancer, danced continuously for 168 hours. The 33-year-old began the attempt last Tuesday. The previous record of 127 hours…
