Clemency: You’ve brought shame, scrap NDLEA, EFCC, ICPC – APC chieftain to Tinubu.

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has called for the scrapping of some federal government agencies.

The agencies include the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

According Eze, these agencies have Iost their flavours to political Interferences, stressing that President Bola Tinubu’s presidential pardon of drug barons have further erodes public confidence in statutory Institutions.

The APC chieftain said as long as he remains a member of the ruling party it must be said categorically that Tinubu, by his action, has brought shame and reproach to the party.

Eze believes that no reasonable person would vote for the APC again as the President has made it unelectable in any election in this country.

Eze said that APC’s return to power in 2027 would mean that Nigerians approve of a regime that legitimizes illegality as a political strategy to sustain its odious reign beyond 2027.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Information and Strategy last week, said in a statement that out of the 175 beneficiaries of the Presidential pardon, 41 illegal miners, 28 drug traffickers and 22 murderers topped the list.

Notable among the 175 beneficiaries are Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists; Farouk Lawan, a former member of the house of representatives; Mamman Vatsa, a major general and poet executed in 1986 over alleged treason; and Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for killing her husband in 2017.

"Presidential pardon still under review, no inmate released yet" – FG reveals.

The Federal Government has clarified that no inmate has been released under the recently approved Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, explaining that the process is still undergoing final administrative review.

The clarification follows reports of President Bola Tinubu’s approval of 175 beneficiaries recommended by the Council of State, including the late Sir Herbert Macaulay, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Major General Mamman Vatsa. The list also reportedly features Maryam Sanda—sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband and several others whose sentences were commuted or reduced based on the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

In a statement on Thursday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said no inmate has been freed yet, as the clemency process remains at its final administrative stage.

“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s prerogative of mercy has been released,” Fagbemi said. “The process is still undergoing standard review to ensure all names and recommendations fully comply with legal and procedural requirements before any release order is issued.”

He explained that once verification is completed, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service will receive formal authorisation to implement the releases.

Fagbemi emphasised that the review stage underscores the government’s commitment to due process, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law. He also welcomed public interest in the matter, describing it as a healthy sign of Nigeria’s growing democratic accountability.

“There is no delay in the process,” he assured. “It is simply following the law to ensure only duly qualified individuals benefit from the President’s mercy.”

He further pledged that updates would be provided once all verifications are concluded, adding: “The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.”

Presidential Clemency: Tinubu Pardoned 70 Drug Lords – Dino Melaye Alleges.

According to get a report by Daily Post, former Kogi senator, Dino Melaye, has alleged thar President Bola Tinubu of included about 70 convicted drug offenders among the 175 persons recently granted presidential clemency.

The allegation, shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, has sparked controversy over the nature and scope of the president’s latest pardon exercise.

Melaye described the action as “unprecedented in history,” insisting that no administration in the world had ever pardoned such a large number of convicted drug traffickers. “Pardon granted 70 drug lords by President Tinubu is unprecedented in history. My advice to the President is to scrap the NDLEA. His action has made a beautiful nonsensical of all the efforts of the agency since inception,” he wrote.

President Tinubu recently approved the release or posthumous pardon of 175 individuals as part of his administration’s effort to promote reconciliation and decongest correctional facilities.

The list included prominent names such as the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, nationalist Herbert Macaulay, and former military officer Major General Mamman Vatsa, who was executed for treason in 1986. Also listed was Maryam Sanda, who had been sentenced to death for killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello.

The presidency framed the gesture as part of broader national healing, aimed at righting perceived historical wrongs and showing compassion. But critics say the clemency exercise lacked transparency and may have rewarded people convicted of serious crimes.

Melaye’s claim that dozens of drug traffickers were among those pardoned has heightened public concern. The former federal lawmaker did not name the allegedly pardoned drug Lords and the claim has not been verified.

Notwithstanding, following the allegations, some Nigerians warn that such a move could demoralize anti-narcotics agencies. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been praised internationally in recent years for its intensified war on drug cartels, with several high-profile convictions recorded.

Tinubu Grants Posthumous Pardon to Late Major General Mamman Vatsa

The family of Major General Mamman Vatsa has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu following the posthumous pardon of the celebrated poet and senior military officer, nearly 39 years after his execution.

Vatsa, executed in 1986 after being convicted by a secret military tribunal for allegedly plotting a coup against then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, was finally cleared through the exercise of presidential clemency, alongside Herbert Macaulay and other notable figures.

In a statement from Minna, Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, family spokesperson and former state Commissioner for Information, described the pardon as “the greatest moment of relief since the general’s death.”

He said:

“Today is the happiest moment in the life of the family after 39 years of sorrow and sadness following the killing of our late father, brother and uncle. Though nothing can bring him back to life, the family is consoled by this display of statesmanship by our dear president. He has written his name in gold, and history will forever remember him.”


Jonathan emphasized that the family has long maintained Vatsa’s innocence, calling the coup charge a “frame-up” and the trial a “stage-managed process” fueled by envy and hatred. He added:

“Justice can never be denied but can only be delayed. The family is convinced that the late Vatsa must be happy in his grave today by this singular act of compassion by President Tinubu. This goes to show that truth doesn’t expire.”


He also recalled that General Domkat Bali, a member of the military council at the time, had publicly questioned the evidence against Vatsa and whether execution was justified.

While some of Vatsa’s closest relatives, including his wife and several children, are no longer alive to witness the pardon, the surviving family members celebrated being part of this historic moment.

“The family still maintains that the late General Vatsa was innocent of the coup. But we thank President Tinubu for his magnanimity in granting him the state pardon,” Jonathan concluded.

Tinubu Grants Presidential Pardon for Herbert Macaulay,  175 Nigerians

On Thursday, the Council of State approved the exercise of the presidential prerogative of mercy for 175 persons across different categories.

The decision followed a presentation by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s recommendations based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy during the council meeting held at the State House, Abuja.

Although the full list of beneficiaries is yet to be released, pardons were granted to Herbert Macaulay, Nigeria’s nationalist icon, and Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (retd.), a former FCT minister, was executed in 1986 under the Babangida regime. Members of the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four were also named among the beneficiaries.

Macaulay, regarded as the father of Nigerian nationalism, was twice jailed by the British colonial authorities — in 1913 for alleged fund misappropriation and in 1928 for sedition following his newspaper’s publication during the Eleko of Lagos crisis. Historians have long questioned the fairness of his convictions.

Vatsa, a poet and member of the Supreme Military Council, was executed by firing squad for an alleged coup attempt, a case that has remained controversial for decades, with repeated calls for a posthumous pardon.

Of the 175 approved cases, 82 inmates received full pardons, 65 had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said the decision reflects President Tinubu’s “commitment to justice, fairness, and correctional reform.”

The meeting, chaired by the President, also ratified key appointments, including Dr Aminu Yusuf from Niger State as Chairman of the National Population Commission and Tonge Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State. 

Both nominations were unanimously endorsed.

Tinubu grants mass clemency to 175 Nigerians including Herbert Macaulay , Mamman Vatsa, Ogoni Nine, and Farouk Lawan.

President Bola Tinubu extends historic pardons to national icons, ex-lawmakers, and long-serving inmates — sparking debate over justice, mercy, and selective forgiveness.

In a landmark exercise of presidential clemency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the pardon of 175 Nigerians, including posthumous exonerations for Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and the Ogoni Nine, alongside amnesty for several living convicts such as former lawmaker Farouk Lawan.

The decision, endorsed by the National Council of State in Abuja, was made public through a State House statement issued on Wednesday by Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga.

Among the pardoned historical figures, Herbert Macaulay—Nigeria’s founding nationalist and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)—was posthumously cleared of his 1913 colonial conviction, which barred him from public service. Mamman Vatsa, a poet and general executed in 1986 for alleged treason, also received a symbolic national pardon nearly four decades later.
Equally significant is the posthumous pardon of the Ogoni Nine, led by environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, whose 1995 execution by the military regime sparked global outrage. Their rehabilitation comes with national honours awarded to four other Ogoni elders for their advocacy and sacrifice.

The list of pardoned individuals includes:
Farouk Lawan, convicted for bribery while chairing the House fuel subsidy probe,
Nweke Francis Chibueze, a convicted drug trafficker,
Dr. Nwogu Peters, jailed for fraud,
Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barr. Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, among others.
According to the PACPM’s report, 175 beneficiaries met the criteria of old age, ill health, good conduct, rehabilitation, or remorse during long-term imprisonment.

However, the decision has ignited public debate. Activist Omoyele Sowore criticized the clemency list, accusing President Tinubu of “forgiving political criminals while keeping Mazi Nnamdi Kanu behind bars despite court rulings in his favour.”
Sowore wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Criminals and political thieves are forgiven, celebrated, and rehabilitated, while a man demanding self-determination remains unjustly detained.”
The presidency, however, insists the move aligns with Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to mercy, justice reform, and national healing.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday granted presidential pardon to one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay, and former FCT minister in the Babangida regime, Major General Mamman Vatsa (retd).

Tinubu Grants Historic Pardons to Herbert Macaulay, Mamman Vatsa, and the Ogoni Nine — 82 Inmates Freed, 65 Others Get Sentence Reduction

In a landmark decision that underscores justice, mercy, and national reconciliation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted posthumous pardons to some of Nigeria’s most significant historical figures — Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and the Ogoni Nine, alongside clemency for 82 inmates and sentence reductions for 65 others.

The announcement, made after the National Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday, marks a historic gesture of healing and unity.

Herbert Macaulay — revered as a founding father of Nigerian nationalism and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) — was cleared of his 1913 colonial conviction, which had barred him from holding public office. The pardon officially restores his place as a national hero and pioneer of Nigeria’s independence movement.

Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, a respected poet and military officer executed in 1986 on treason charges, also received a posthumous pardon, symbolizing national acknowledgment of his service and creative legacy.

Similarly, the Ogoni Nine — including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Baribor Bera, and Barinem Kiobel — who were executed in 1995 under controversial circumstances, were formally pardoned. President Tinubu also recommended national honours for the Ogoni Four: Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage.

Among the living beneficiaries, notable names such as Farouk Lawan, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barr. Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu received presidential clemency for demonstrating remorse and readiness for reintegration into society.

The pardons were recommended by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), chaired by Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, which reviewed 294 cases and interviewed 175 inmates across correctional centers.

The committee considered factors such as old age, terminal illness, good conduct, youthfulness, and rehabilitation efforts in making its recommendations.

This sweeping act of mercy, President Tinubu noted, reflects his administration’s commitment to justice, human rights, and national unity — offering closure for past injustices and second chances for reformed citizens.

Nigeria @ 65: The worst is over, we’ve turned a new corner Tinubu.

Remembering the founding fathers, Tinubu recalled the sacrifices and vision of the country’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and others, saying “they believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth.”

We have not strayed too far

Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey since October 1, 1960, Tinubu said: “While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebears, we have not strayed too far from them. In 65 years, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development.

“At independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools and two tertiary institutions. Today, we have over 23,000 secondary schools, 274 universities, 183 polytechnics and 236 colleges of education. We have witnessed a significant surge in healthcare, infrastructure, telecommunications, aviation, and defence.’’

Civil war, military rule, resilience
The President acknowledged Nigeria’s turbulent history but noted that Nigerians weathered the storm and kept hope alive.

“We fought a bitter civil war, endured military dictatorships and political crises. But in all, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage and grit,” he said.

According to him, for 65 years, Nigeria has endured profound social, economic, and political trials.

He said: ‘’We survived a civil war, military dictatorships, and recurring political crises. In spite of these setbacks, we have recorded progress in economic growth, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social cohesion.

‘’At Independence, Nigeria had just 120 secondary schools with 130,000 students. Today, there are over 23,000 secondary schools. In 1960, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology. As of 2024, Nigeria boasts 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education. Healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, and financial services have all expanded remarkably.

Unfinished business
Declaring that like the founding leaders, he had committed himself irrevocably to the unfinished business of nation-building, President Tinubu said he inherited a near-collapsed economy, distorted by decades of bad policies.