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Atiku blasts Tinubu over Presidential pardon, says action undermines justice

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent use of presidential pardon, describing it as reckless, morally indefensible, and a setback for Nigeria’s justice system.In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Atiku said the decision to grant clemency to individuals convicted of serious crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption has provoked outrage across the nation.He noted that the power of presidential pardon should be a moral and constitutional tool aimed at tempering justice with mercy, not one that diminishes the integrity of the justice system or erodes public confidence in governance."Ordinarily, the power of presidential pardon is a solemn prerogative, a moral and constitutional instrument designed to temper justice with mercy and to underscore the humanity of the state. When properly exercised, it elevates justice and strengthens public faith in governance," he said.Atiku lamented that the Tinubu administration’s decision “has done the very opposite,” stressing that it sends a wrong signal to citizens and the international community about Nigeria’s values."Regrettably, the latest pardon issued by the Tinubu administration has done the very opposite. 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 about the values this government upholds," he stated.He described the move as shocking and indefensible, particularly at a time when the country is grappling with insecurity, drug abuse, and moral decline."At a time when Nigeria continues to reel under the weight of insecurity, moral decay, and a surge in drug-related offences, it is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritize clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability and social order," Atiku said.The former Vice President also expressed concern over reports that nearly 30 percent of those pardoned were convicted of drug-related offences, noting that such an act undermines the fight against narcotics and further tarnishes Nigeria’s image abroad."Particularly worrisome is the revelation that 29.2% percent of those pardoned were convicted for drug-related crimes at a time when our youth are being destroyed by narcotics, and our nation is still struggling to cleanse its image from the global stain of drug offences," he added.Atiku further drew attention to what he called the “moral irony” of the decision, given President Tinubu’s controversial past involving drug-related investigations in the United States."Even more disturbing is the moral irony that this act of clemency is coming from a President whose own past remains clouded by unresolved and unexplained 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 demonstrate a worrying tolerance for individuals associated with criminal enterprise," he said.He stressed that presidential clemency should promote moral reform and restitution, not weaken institutions or embolden lawbreakers."A presidential pardon is meant to symbolize restitution and moral reform. Instead, what we have witnessed is a mockery of the criminal justice system, an affront to victims, a demoralization of law enforcement, and a grave injury to the conscience of the nation," he noted.According to Atiku, granting pardon to convicted criminals at such a time erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness."Clemency must never be confused with complicity. When a government begins to absolve offenders of the very crimes it claims to be fighting, it erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness," he said.He concluded by insisting that Nigerians deserve a government that upholds justice rather than trivializes it."Nigeria deserves a leadership that upholds justice, not one that trivializes it," Atiku declared.