Pardon for Drug Traffickers a National Disgrace, ADC Tells Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to grant presidential pardons to several Nigerians, including individuals convicted of drug trafficking and smuggling.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the move as *“pathetic and a national disgrace.” The party warned that the decision undermines Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign, encourages criminal behavior, and damages the country’s international reputation.

“This act represents an irresponsible abuse of the presidential power of mercy,” Abdullahi said. “Granting express pardon to convicts held for drug trafficking, smuggling, and related offences—especially when many have barely served two years of life sentences—is deeply troubling and unjustifiable.”

Abdullahi stressed that presidential clemency should only be granted for reasons of social justice or to correct miscarriages of justice, not to free offenders who have yet to serve meaningful portions of their sentences.

“We wonder what Nigeria stands to gain by releasing convicts serving life terms who have barely begun their punishment,” he added.

The ADC also highlighted the country’s growing drug crisis, noting that Nigeria’s drug use rate—estimated at 14.4%—is nearly three times the global average of 5.5%.

The party praised the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security operatives who have risked their lives to dismantle drug networks and prosecute offenders. It argued that the presidential pardons undermine these efforts and demoralize officers working on the frontlines.

“Granting clemency to drug traffickers strikes at the very foundation of our legal and moral stance against narcotics,” the statement read. “It makes a mockery of the sacrifices made by NDLEA officers and others combating the scourge of addiction and trafficking.”

The ADC further warned that Tinubu’s decision could have international repercussions, portraying Nigeria as soft on drug-related crimes.

“These pardons weaken our credibility among global partners and send the wrong message—that under President Tinubu, Nigeria is sympathetic to drug dealers,” Abdullahi said.

Concluding its statement, the ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of eroding national values and standards of accountability.

“With this mass clemency for drug dealers, President Tinubu and the APC are redefining morality in Nigeria,” the party stated. “They are turning our country into a place where even the worst crimes face no serious consequences—only brief inconveniences dressed up as remorse.”