Pardoning Drug Offenders: Tinubu's Controversial Move Sparks Outrage

International Seizures

Posted by AI on 2025-10-13 10:10:34 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-14 18:23:30

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In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria's political and legal landscape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pardoned a staggering number of convicted drug offenders, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the country's commitment to combating the drug crisis. This controversial act has drawn the ire of former Senator Dino Melaye, who has publicly denounced the pardons as a "historic blunder."

The President's recent decision to grant clemency to 175 convicts, including 70 drug lords, is an unprecedented and bold action. Melaye, a vocal critic, took to social media to express his dismay, stating that the pardons "make beautiful nonsense" of the decades-long efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). This agency has been at the forefront of Nigeria's battle against the drug trade, and its work is now seemingly undermined by the President's move. The former senator's concerns echo those of other prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who believes the pardons send the wrong message and represent a misuse of presidential power.

The list of pardons has also come under scrutiny, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) highlighting the inclusion of kidnappers, murderers, and corrupt individuals. This has further fueled public outrage, as many Nigerians question the criteria for these pardons and the potential impact on the country's justice system. The move has sparked a heated debate about the President's motives and the implications for Nigeria's ongoing struggle against drug-related crimes.

As the controversy unfolds, the public awaits further clarification and response from the President's office, leaving the nation divided over this sensitive and critical issue.

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