The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to review and partially reverse the earlier presidential pardon list, describing the move as a demonstration of courage, empathy, and accountability.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time, Onanuga emphasized that the President’s willingness to correct errors is a mark of strong leadership.
“Tinubu is not afraid to reverse himself once he makes errors. This is a president who reads newspapers, watches TV, and keeps himself informed. He is a compassionate leader who takes corrections when necessary,” he stated.
Onanuga explained that Maryam Sanda, whose death sentence was commuted to 12 years’ imprisonment, benefited from the review on humanitarian grounds, citing her children’s welfare and pleas for mercy from her late husband’s family.
He clarified that the reliefs granted were clemency, not full pardons, and were guided by rehabilitation, remorse, and humanitarian concerns.
“If someone has served most of their sentence, shown remorse, and changed for the better, the state must have a heart of forgiveness,” Onanuga added.
He further revealed that the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy had been moved from the Ministry of Special Duties to the Ministry of Justice to ensure transparency and oversight.
President Tinubu had earlier invoked his constitutional powers under Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution to grant clemency to certain convicts. However, after consultations with the Council of State and public feedback, he ordered a review, removing names linked to serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, fraud, and arms dealing.
