Presidential Pardon Review: Tinubu’s Correction Commendable but Lessons Must Be Learned

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By Editorial Team

In our earlier editorial titled “Presidential Pardon: Dangerous Signal to Criminals and Betrayal of Justice,” published on October 14, 2025, we strongly condemned the controversial pardon granted to convicted criminals whose actions had caused pain to innocent Nigerians and weakened the fight against crime and corruption. We warned that the move sent a dangerous message that crime could be excused by political influence, thereby betraying the cause of justice and national security.

It is therefore commendable that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has now shown leadership by responding to public outcry over the decision. His directive for a thorough review and investigation into the pardon list demonstrates responsibility, humility, and genuine concern for justice. The move proves that feedback from citizens still matters in governance and that the Presidency listens to the voice of the people.

This action should serve as a reminder to those charged with upholding justice, especially the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy. Their responsibility is to ensure that such lapses in judgment do not happen again. The pardon process must be transparent, fair, and guided strictly by the principles of rehabilitation, not political convenience or personal interest.

A presidential pardon should never be used as a political reward or favour. It should be reserved only for those who have genuinely reformed and demonstrated remorse for their crimes. When individuals convicted of corruption or violent offences are suddenly released without clear justification, it sends the wrong message to the public and weakens confidence in the justice system. It also discourages law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to protect the country.

Every act of pardon sends a powerful message. When wrongly applied, it tells society that justice can be bent for the powerful. It tells victims that their pain does not matter and gives criminals hope that political influence can erase their punishment. This is why the power of presidential mercy must always be guided by conscience and fairness, not convenience or politics.

President Tinubu’s decision to reflect on the public reaction and order an investigation into the earlier pardon list is therefore commendable. It takes courage and integrity for a leader to accept feedback and make corrections. The re-evaluation of the list and the subsequent release of a corrected version show that this administration is willing to act in the interest of justice and public trust.

Yet, this must not end as a one-off response. The Attorney General of the Federation must ensure that future exercises are more thorough and transparent. There should be a permanent system for proper screening, background checks, and security clearance before any name is included in a pardon list. The process must be documented, reviewed, and open to necessary scrutiny.

Nigeria’s justice system also needs broader reform. The continuous abuse of executive powers in areas like appointments, pardons, and selective prosecution has eroded public confidence. Justice must remain impartial and must not be seen as a privilege for the powerful or connected.

Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. The power to forgive should never weaken the rule of law. Mercy must go hand in hand with responsibility. The Presidency’s willingness to correct its earlier mistake is a positive sign, but it must be followed by clear reforms to ensure that such errors are never repeated.

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy should immediately develop clear and public guidelines on who qualifies for pardon and why. There should be published records showing the offences, rehabilitation process, and reasons for approval. Such openness will rebuild public confidence and prevent political manipulation.

Beyond this particular case, the Federal Government must see this as a lesson in accountability. Nigerians are watching closely, and the world is paying attention. Every decision taken on justice and governance affects the country’s credibility at home and abroad.

President Tinubu deserves commendation for listening to the people and correcting a controversial decision. But the real test of leadership lies in ensuring that justice and mercy complement each other in a way that strengthens public trust.

Nigeria’s democracy grows stronger when leaders act with conscience and humility. The President has done well by responding to citizens’ concerns, but this moment must mark the beginning of a stricter, fairer, and more transparent justice process.

In the end, the true measure of a nation’s greatness is not the power of its leaders but the fairness of its systems. A presidential pardon should be a symbol of hope, forgiveness, and reform not a reward for the influential or a betrayal of justice.