₦airaland Forum

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly reduced the number of convicts slated for presidential pardon, cutting the list from 175 to just 34.
The decision follows widespread public criticism over the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and drug-related offences.

In a statement released on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu formally exercised his constitutional power of prerogative of mercy by signing the instruments of release for the revised list of beneficiaries.
According to Onanuga, the President’s action was guided by consultations with the Council of State and feedback from the public. The review was conducted under the discretionary powers granted by Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“Consequently, certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of firearms/arms dealing, etc., were deleted from the list. Others who had been hitherto pardoned in the old list had their sentences commuted,” the statement read.

Justice, security, and public sentiment
The presidency emphasized that the decision was influenced by the gravity of the offences, national security concerns, and the need to respect the sentiments of crime victims and society at large.

“This action became necessary in view of the seriousness and security implications of some of the offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of the victims of the crimes and society in general, the need to boost the morale of law enforcement agencies and adherence to bilateral obligations. The concept of justice as a three-way traffic for the Accused, the Victim, and the State/Society also guided the review,” Onanuga added.

Implementation and structural reforms
The revised list has been transmitted to the Nigerian Correctional Service for implementation.

In a move to improve future pardon exercises, President Tinubu ordered the relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Additionally, the Attorney-General of the Federation has been directed to issue new guidelines for the exercise of presidential mercy, mandating consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies to ensure only qualified individuals benefit from future clemency.

Commitment to judicial reform
President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the constructive feedback from stakeholders and the public, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to comprehensive judicial reforms and enhancing the administration of justice in Nigeria.

https://nairametrics.com/2025/10/29/tinubu-slashes-presidential-pardon-list-from-175-to-34-amid-public-backlash/

DrMB:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly reduced the number of convicts slated for presidential pardon, cutting the list from 175 to just 34.
The decision follows widespread public criticism over the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and drug-related offences.

If anyone compare this tinubu with buhari again na thunder go fire that person o. Tinubu actually listen to public opinion. He has better democratic credentials

What was he thinking before?

Hmmmmm it okay, na ur time baba do as you like ooo, make I sha dey see my own daily 2k collect

You are right, unlike buhari it's irreversible

Kdon2:
If anyone compare this tinubu with buhari again na thunder go fire that person o. Tinubu actually listen to public opinion. He has better democratic credentials

Answer
Each month, as soon as I see the announcement of salary payments in other institutions, even when my institution is not listed, I begin to collect things on credit. My dear, even when my institution is not mentioned, na credit I dey collect, since I sabi say hope dey.
Are you familiar with the Renewed Hope Agenda? Na wetin I dey operate on.
Cheerio!

Why?? Seems like he will pardon dem, secretly

Thank God. It's better given to those who maybe deserves it

Kdon2:
If anyone compare this tinubu with buhari again na thunder go fire that person o. Tinubu actually listen to public opinion. He has better democratic credentials

It is very disastrous for one to act first before thinking.
I'll never wish my enemy to be like either Buhari or Tinubu in this regard.

I don't think a busy Nigerian President will seat down and be going through each name on a list to decide who is pardoned or not. A President cannot directly perform every task himself. It is physically impossible.

I suspect the initial list was compiled by very senior aides who allowed themselves to be influenced by external forces.

The President would have been right to trust and assume that the senior aides he entrusted with the task would take all the precautions in the world to ensure that only suitably qualified prisoners made the list presented to him.

The aides clearly did a terrible job.

We saw several other instances in the past where names of people recommended for appointments by the President were substituted with completely different names by senior aides.

The Chief of Staff must do better at following up and overseeing these assignments to protect his boss from these embarrassments.

Anyway, there was even allegations that the Chief of Staff may have had a hand in substituting prospective appointees' names.

The President needs to consider whether the current Chief of Staff is a good fit for the role, or whether a new person is required to do a better job.

Damage control. Making useless and evil decisions since he became president.
He has never made any meaningful decision that will make Nigerians happy. Evil man

DeLaRue:
I don't think a busy Nigerian President will seat down and be going through each name on a list to decide who is pardoned or not. A President cannot directly perform every task himself. It is physically impossible.

I suspect the initial list was compiled by very senior aides who allowed themselves to be influenced by external forces.

The President would have been right to trust and assume that the senior aides involved would take all the precautions in the world to ensure that only suitably qualified prisoners made the list presented to him.

The aides clearly did a terrible job.

We saw several other instances in the past where names of people recommended for appointments by the President were substituted with completely different names by senior aides.

The Chief of Staff must do better at following up and overseeing these assignments to protect his boss from these embarrassments.

Anyway, there was even allegations that the Chief of Staff may have had a hand in substituting prospective appointees' names.

The President needs to consider whether the current Chief of Staff is a good fit for the role, or whether a new person is required to do a better job.

Thank you for this boss, you spoke well.

Kdon2:
If anyone compare this tinubu with buhari again na thunder go fire that person o. Tinubu actually listen to public opinion. He has better democratic credentials

Tinubu listened after the backlash, fair enough. But let’s not pretend he didn’t cause the mess himself.

Buhari cannot and will not commit this kind of blunder.

That single act brought international disgrace and disrepute to Nigeria.

Kdon2:
If anyone compare this tinubu with buhari again na thunder go fire that person o. Tinubu actually listen to public opinion. He has better democratic credentials

Na baba God go punish u. Thunder go strike u join gan self. What were his team thinking b4 adding those criminal elements to the list of those to be pardoned?

The Chief of Staff may or may not have been directly involved in compiling the original list of those to be pardoned.

However, that list could not get to the President's desk without passing through the office of the Chief of Staff.

An effective Chief of Staff would have scrutinised each and every name on the list to ensure there was no name on the list that may cause his Oga embarrassment.

Did Mr Gbajabiamila scrutinise the list before taking it to the President. If he did, and didn't pick up the undeserving names on the list, at best he is guilty of incompetence, at worse he was grossly negligent with the result that his actions or inactions have brought the office of the President into disrepute.

In some organisations, bringing the office of the Chairman or Managing Director into disrepute is a sackable offence.

Trial and error president

These guys live in a bubble world different from that of 90% of the population

DrMB:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly reduced the number of convicts slated for presidential pardon, cutting the list from 175 to just 34.
The decision follows widespread public criticism over the inclusion of individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and drug-related offences.

Kdon2:
If anyone compare this tinubu with buhari again na thunder go fire that person o. Tinubu actually listen to public opinion. He has better democratic credentials

You guys never disappoint. I knew they will come here to spin it and say he is a listening president. Again you are pardoning Herbert Macaulay for a crime committed before amalgamation. Make it make sense.

Kdon2:
If anyone compare this tinubu with buhari again na thunder go fire that person o. Tinubu actually listen to public opinion. He has better democratic credentials

Buhari is 1000 times beta than tinubu, this is misplaced priority, this will never put food on my table, it will never increase my salary, during Buhari fuel was 145 and dollar is 400,so can u compare the two, be reasonable for once na despite that Buhari is bad he's still preferably beta than this....

Tinubu should be watchful of all his staff.

The listening president... That's what democracy is all about

What a shame 😔

Government of being reactive and not proactive.

prinsam30:
Buhari is 1000 times beta than tinubu

Werey... Go and bring him back

A listening president

What a breath of fresh air.

Now, listen to the harm over over-taxation is causing and respond appropriately.

TempleHouse:
What a shame 😔

Government of being reactive and not proactive.

The thing tire me my brother ooo

Belleful:
Damage control. Making useless and evil decisions since he became president.
He has never made any meaningful decision that will make Nigerians happy. Evil man

The dude is confused naturally

(135 -34)/ 135 * 100

74.8 % What a gambler

The probability of tpain making a “right call” is 25.2%.

prinsam30:
Iyalaya e ni werey, oponu osi

Olofo, iku ma pa e fun nairaland ni

Shouldn’t he have gone back to the council of state who are his superiors in this matter to ask them to revoke their earlier approval and grant a new one, lawyers in the house, educate us oo

Hope no quiet releasing later

Kdon2:
If anyone compare this tinubu with buhari again na thunder go fire that person o. Tinubu actually listen to public opinion. He has better democratic credentials

Abegii.. same costly mistake he made on the inaugural day speech ,declaring removal of subsidy without careful approach has put Nigeria in today's mess . Tinubu just wanted to score political goal not necessary granting clemency but it backfired.. olodo president