The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting state pardons to individuals convicted of serious offences, including drug trafficking, murder, and human trafficking.
In a statement released on Tuesday by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric described the decision as a setback to the work of security agencies, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), whose officers risk their lives to apprehend and prosecute offenders.
Questions Over Presidential Clemency
Primate Ayodele argued that pardoning convicted criminals undermines the efforts of law enforcement and poses a threat to public safety.
“Why grant pardons to criminals and drug traffickers? It simply wastes the sacrifices of security operatives who risk their lives to bring them to justice,” he said. “Releasing such individuals could worsen insecurity because many of them return to crime.”
Calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s Freedom
The cleric further questioned why Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), remains in detention while convicted criminals receive clemency.
“If people sentenced to death or life imprisonment can be pardoned, why is Nnamdi Kanu still detained without sentencing? He deserves the same consideration,” Ayodele stated.
He urged President Tinubu to extend the same gesture of reconciliation and justice to Kanu, warning that continued detention could negatively affect the administration’s image.
Warning Against Misguided Advisers
Primate Ayodele also advised the president to be cautious of individuals influencing his policies on economic and security matters.
“President Tinubu should beware of bad advisers, especially those handling the economy and security. Some of them do not mean well for his administration,” he warned.
The cleric called on the president to demonstrate proactive leadership and ensure that decisions taken under his government promote fairness, justice, and national stability.
Share this:
