An aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu for withdrawing the presidential pardon earlier granted to individuals convicted of offences such as drug trafficking and kidnapping.
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The aide, Phrank Shaibu, who serves as Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, faulted the government’s decision, describing it as a move taken only after public criticism. He said the action showed that the administration lacked direction and moral strength to make firm decisions without public pressure.
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Shaibu questioned the process that produced the initial list of pardon beneficiaries, demanding explanations on how the names were chosen, what criteria were applied, and what role the Attorney-General of the Federation played in approving them.
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He argued that the reversal was part of a recurring pattern in the Tinubu government—taking actions that trigger public outrage before eventually backtracking. According to him, such behaviour shows an absence of planning and consistency in decision-making.
The aide maintained that presidential pardons must be treated as serious constitutional matters based on justice and fairness, not as reactionary responses to public opinion. He urged the Federal Government to make public the list of those initially selected for pardon to ensure transparency and accountability.
Shaibu added that the entire controversy revealed a government that acts without clear judgment or empathy for the people it serves. He said publishing the full list would help restore public trust, but until that happens, the reversal appears to be an attempt to save face rather than an act of good governance.
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