The 2023 Presidential candidate on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has criticised the approach adopted by the Federal Government in granting presidential pardon to some Nigerians, describing it as careless and lacking moral reflection.

Adebayo said this during an interactive session on the Eagle 102.5 FM, monitored by Sunday Telegraph where he commented on series of national issues.

Asked whether the president has the power to grant the pardon, Adebayo said, “The problem is not that the President has no power to pardon people.

The problem is that he has not thought deeply about why that power was given to him.” He explained that presidential pardons are meant to correct failures within the justice system, address cases of rehabilitation, or ease societal tensions, not to reward political connections. It’s not meant for frivolities or playing games.”

“When the President assigns such sensitive duties to aides who lack discernment, they begin to add all sorts of names to the list.

That’s why Nigerians are losing faith because excellence has disappeared from decision making.”

He therefore urged the Presidency to handle such constitutional powers with greater accountability and sensitivity, warning that misusing them could send the wrong signal that crime pays when one has access to power.