In every democracy, power comes with responsibility, and sometimes, that responsibility includes the power to forgive.
In Nigeria, that power is known as the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, a constitutional right that allows the President to pardon, reduce, or commute a person’s sentence.
This October, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exercised that power, and it has stirred both applause and debate.
So what exactly is a presidential pardon, who qualifies for it, and why has this particular one drawn so much attention?
Under Section 175 of Nigeria’s Constitution, the President has the power to grant pardons, reduce sentences, or commute death penalties after consulting the Council of State.
Simply put, it’s an act of mercy, a chance to forgive, free, or give a second chance. But not everyone qualifies, as an advisory committee reviews each case based on age, health, remorse, or good behaviour.
Over time, this power has sparked controversy. From Goodluck Jonathan’s pardon of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to Buhari’s release of Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, many Nigerians have questioned whether mercy sometimes undermines justice.
Now, under President Tinubu, that debate has returned. He granted clemency to 175 people, including full pardons, sentence reductions, and commuted death penalties.
Even national heroes like Herbert Macaulay, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Mamman Vatsa received posthumous pardons, a move the Presidency calls an act of healing and unity.
According to official records, 82 inmates received full pardons, 65 had their sentences reduced, And 7 death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
But critics say repeated pardons for the powerful weaken the fight against corruption and blur the line between compassion and compromise.
At the heart of the debate lies a deeper question:
How should a nation balance justice with forgiveness?
Legal experts say Nigeria must make the process more transparent so that mercy remains not only noble but fair.
