The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has knocked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent presidential pardons granted to 175 people, including convicted drug traffickers and smugglers.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Sunday in Abuja, the party described the decision as “a national disgrace” that, in its view, undermines Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign and damages the country’s international image.
The opposition coalition expressed belief that the decision amounted to “an irresponsible use” of the presidential power of pardon, 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 said most of the convicts granted clemency had served less than two years of their sentences for offences that attract life imprisonment, and questioned the criteria used in granting the pardons.
The ADC also expressed concern over government explanations that the beneficiaries had shown remorse and acquired skills while in prison, saying such reasons may not justify early clemency.
According to the ADC, the opposition party warned that the move could affect the morale of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies whose personnel risk their lives to combat drug-related crimes across the country.
It further noted that Nigeria remains a major transit point for illicit drugs, with the country’s estimated drug use prevalence at 14.4 per cent, almost three times the global average and argued that the decision could have implications for public health and security.
