Atiku Blasts Tinubu Over Presidential Pardons for “Grave Offenders”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as an “abuse of presidential powers” following the recent pardon and clemency granted to 175 individuals, including persons convicted of serious crimes.
Atiku, in a statement posted on his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, said the prerogative of mercy, which is constitutionally vested in the President, was being “trivialised” by Tinubu’s administration, warning that the act “undermines the sanctity of justice” and “encourages lawlessness.”
President Tinubu’s decision, announced on Thursday, granted presidential pardons to a wide range of people from political figures to convicted criminals. Among the beneficiaries are the late nationalist Herbert Macaulay, the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for the murder of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, the son of a former PDP chairman.
A statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, revealed that the pardons were based on the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
According to Onanuga, the clemency covered convictions ranging from homicide, drug trafficking, illegal mining, fraud, and other offences. However, Atiku expressed deep concern that the inclusion of individuals convicted of such grave crimes sends the wrong message to Nigerians and the international community.
“Ordinarily, the power of presidential pardon is a solemn prerogative — a moral and constitutional instrument designed to temper justice with mercy,” Atiku said. “When properly exercised, it elevates justice and strengthens public faith in governance.
Unfortunately, the latest pardon issued by the Tinubu administration has done the very opposite.”
The former Vice President accused the Tinubu-led government of “mocking the justice system” and “diminishing the moral authority of leadership” by freeing people convicted of drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption.
“The decision to extend clemency to individuals convicted of grave crimes diminishes the sanctity of justice and sends a dangerous signal about the values this government upholds,” Atiku said.
“At a time when Nigeria is battling insecurity, corruption, and a rise in drug-related offences, it is shocking that the Presidency would prioritise clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability.”
Atiku also pointed to the alarming statistic that 29.2% of the pardoned individuals were convicted for drug-related offences, describing it as “a moral disaster” given Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with narcotics and youth addiction.
“It is particularly worrisome that nearly a third of those pardoned were drug offenders at a time when Nigerian youths are being destroyed by narcotics and our image abroad remains tainted by drug-related scandals,” he said.
The former Vice President did not stop there. He indirectly referenced President Tinubu’s own past controversies, including the forfeiture of funds to U.S. authorities in connection with a 1990s drug-related investigation, arguing that this history casts a moral shadow over the entire exercise.
“Even more disturbing,” Atiku stated, “is the moral irony that this act of clemency comes from a President whose past remains clouded by unresolved 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 display a troubling tolerance for individuals associated with criminal enterprise.”
Atiku concluded that the decision not only erodes confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system but also insults victims and demoralises law enforcement officers who risk their lives to uphold justice.
“A presidential pardon should symbolise moral reform and redemption. Instead, what we have seen is a mockery of justice, an affront to victims, and a grave injury to the conscience of the nation,” he said.
“Clemency must never be confused with complicity. When a government begins to absolve offenders of the very crimes it claims to fight, it loses its moral compass.”
The list of those pardoned, according to Bayo Onanuga, includes 175 individuals, among them notable figures like Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Vatsa, Maryam Sanda, Olanrewaju Oladimeji, Abdullahi Lawal, and Emmanuel Chukwuma, among others.
Political analysts say the move may have political undertones, as some of the pardoned individuals have ties to influential figures across Nigeria’s political spectrum. However, the Presidency maintains that the decision was based purely on “humanitarian grounds and due process.”
Atiku, however, insists that the act “sets a dangerous precedent” and called on Nigerians to hold leaders accountable for choices that “make a mockery of justice.”
“Nigeria deserves leadership that upholds justice not one that trivialises it,” he said.