Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have criticised President Bola Tinubu for granting pardon to some persons serving prison terms for drug related offences.
They said the action was capable of emboldening criminals and increasing criminality in the country.
The ADC, in a statement by its interim national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the President’s action undermines the country’s anti-drug efforts and encourages crime, as well as further tarnishes Nigeria’s image in the international community.
The Federal Government had, last week, announced presidential pardon for 175 convicts, serving various prison terms, including those convicted for drug trafficking and related crimes.
The ADC contended that the pardon amounted to abuse of the President’s prerogative of mercy to grant clemency to persons serving prison terms for drug related offences, especially when most of them have barely served two terms.
