The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has come to the defense of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over recent criticisms surrounding the presidential pardon list, saying opposition figures, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, are politicizing a routine act of statecraft.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, the party described Atiku’s comments as “a desperate attempt to malign the President and score cheap political points.”
“It is unfortunate that the opposition has chosen to twist a purely constitutional act into a political scandal,” Oladejo said. “Presidential pardons have existed since Nigeria’s First Republic. President Tinubu’s decision was guided by due process, compassion, and a commitment to national reconciliation.”
The controversy erupted after the Presidency released a list of pardoned individuals, which included some former public officials convicted of financial crimes. Critics, led by Atiku Abubakar, accused the government of undermining its anti-corruption stance by “rewarding those who looted public funds.”
However, the Lagos APC insisted that the decision was based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, and that the process was neither arbitrary nor politically motivated.
“We urge Nigerians to ignore the usual theatrics of opposition figures who have nothing constructive to offer. This administration remains focused on governance, not propaganda,” the statement added.
Political observers note that the exchange between Tinubu and Atiku adds to the deepening rivalry between the two political heavyweights, particularly as both men’s camps continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
