The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting presidential pardons to several convicted drug traffickers and smugglers, describing the action as a “national embarrassment” that undermines Nigeria’s fight against narcotics and emboldens criminal networks.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the President of grossly abusing the powers of prerogative of mercy by freeing individuals serving sentences for serious drug offences—many of whom, the party claimed, had spent less than two years behind bars for crimes punishable by life imprisonment.
“The African Democratic Congress finds it both pathetic and disgraceful that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would extend clemency to convicted criminals involved in drug trafficking and smuggling,” the statement read. “It is an irresponsible use of presidential powers to pardon offenders who have barely served time for crimes that ruin lives and communities.”
The party condemned the presidency’s justification that the beneficiaries had been “rehabilitated” after showing remorse and learning skills while in custody. Abdullahi said this trivialized the gravity of narcotics crimes, adding that true pardons should be reserved for correcting judicial errors or rewarding genuine reform—not for appeasing dangerous offenders.
“For clarity, Nigeria remains a major transit hub for illicit drugs and is currently facing a serious drug abuse crisis,” Abdullahi noted. “Reports estimate that about 14.4% of Nigerians use drugs—nearly three times the global average of 5.5%. Granting clemency to convicted traffickers sends the wrong signal at a time when the nation is battling this menace.”
The ADC spokesperson further emphasized that the decision disrespected the sacrifices of law enforcement officers who risk their lives combating drug cartels and intercepting narcotics. “These men and women work under immense pressure and danger to keep Nigerians safe. To pardon those they helped bring to justice is a slap in the face of their sacrifice,” he said.
The opposition party also warned that the move could damage Nigeria’s international image and weaken cooperation with global partners in the fight against drug trafficking. “This decision tells the world that Nigeria, under President Tinubu, has a soft spot for drug dealers,” the statement added.
Describing the mass clemency as another sign of moral decay under the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ADC accused the ruling party of eroding public trust and promoting impunity. “With this reckless pardon, President Tinubu and the APC are redefining morality in Nigeria—turning the country into a place where even the worst crimes go virtually unpunished,” Abdullahi declared.
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing Nigerians to end what it called the APC’s “era of lawlessness and impunity.” “Our mission remains clear—to rescue Nigeria from a government that values power and privilege over justice and accountability,” the statement concluded.
