The Presidency defends President Tinubu’s clemency review, emphasizing compassion, human circumstances, and adjustments in legal decisions.
The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s recent review of the clemency and pardon list, describing it as an exercise in compassion, flexibility, and careful consideration of human circumstances.
Also read:APC Lagos Opposition Criticism Backs Tinubu’s Decision
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, told Arise TV that Tinubu is unafraid to reverse decisions when earlier actions may have been in error.
“President Tinubu wakes up in the morning, reads the papers, and tries to understand what people are saying. You do something, appraise it, and then make adjustments. That is what he has done in the case of this clemency and others,” Onanuga explained.
The case of Maryam Sanda, convicted for killing her husband, has drawn the most public attention.
Onanuga described it as a “crime of passion” that occurred during the heat of an argument, noting Sanda’s family circumstances and the welfare of her two young daughters.
“Anything can happen between a man and a woman in the heat of an argument. The court found her guilty, but her case was complicated.
Some perspectives from Islamic jurisprudence suggest the welfare of the children should have been considered, as the father is no longer alive and now the mother is in jail too,” Onanuga said.
He also downplayed claims of widespread outrage, emphasizing that criticism has focused primarily on the Maryam Sanda case, rather than the clemency process as a whole.
The Presidency reiterated that Tinubu’s approach reflects a philosophy of compassionate governance, balancing legal outcomes with social and human considerations.
Also read: Tinubu’s Compassion Deficit: From Promises to Provocations
“President Tinubu is a compassionate person, and some of his actions show his own philosophy and perspective,” Onanuga added.
