ADC to Tinubu: You can't fight drugs by freeing traffickers

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to grant presidential pardons to dozens of convicted drug traffickers and smugglers, describing the move as “a national disgrace” that undermines Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign and damages the country’s global image.

In a statement on Sunday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the decision represented “an irresponsible use” of presidential powers and could encourage impunity while weakening 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 stated.

The party alleged that most of the convicts granted clemency had served less than two years of their sentences for offences that attract life imprisonment, questioning the criteria used in granting such pardons.

“It amounts to a most irresponsible use of the presidential prerogative of mercy to grant express pardon to dozens of convicts held for drug trafficking, smuggling, and related offences — especially when most of them have barely served two years in jail for crimes that carry life sentences,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC dismissed the government’s justification that the beneficiaries had shown remorse and acquired vocational skills while in prison, arguing that such reasons were insufficient for early clemency.

“Pardons and clemency should serve social utility — to correct miscarriages of justice or reward convicts who have truly paid their debts to society. But we wonder what Nigeria stands to gain by freeing those sentenced to life imprisonment after serving only two years,” the statement added.

The opposition party warned that the move could demoralize the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security agencies whose personnel risk their lives combating narcotics and related crimes across the country.

“Granting clemency to individuals convicted under such laws undermines the very foundation of Nigeria’s legal and moral stance against narcotics and could weaken the resolve of officers fighting the war on illicit drugs,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that Nigeria remains a major transit point for illicit drugs, with an estimated drug use prevalence of 14.4 percent — almost three times the global average — and warned that the decision could worsen public health and security challenges.

The ADC further cautioned that the pardons could tarnish Nigeria’s global reputation and strain relations with international partners in the fight against drug trafficking.

“These pardons send a troubling message beyond our borders. They could affect our credibility among global partners and create the impression that Nigeria is not fully committed to the global anti-drug campaign,” the party said.

The ADC urged the Federal Government to exercise greater caution in invoking the presidential prerogative of mercy and to ensure that such decisions align with the principles of justice, transparency, and national interest.

“We call on the government to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in the exercise of such sensitive powers,” Abdullahi concluded.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to promoting justice, integrity, and responsible governance in Nigeria.

Culled from Vanguard