Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for excluding detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from his latest list of pardons granted to several convicted individuals.
In a post shared via his X handle on Friday, Sowore described the President’s action as “glaring hypocrisy,” accusing him of rehabilitating convicted criminals and corrupt politicians while ignoring court orders demanding Kanu’s release.
“Today, President Bola Tinubu extended pardons to a long list of convicted individuals, including a cocaine trafficker serving a life sentence, an alleged coup plotter, Mamman Vatsa, the late Nnamdi Azikiwe and Herbert Macaulay, and even Farouk Lawan, the former lawmaker convicted for taking bribes on tape,” Sowore wrote.
He further alleged that the clemency extended to individuals with established criminal or corrupt histories undermines the moral foundation of justice in Nigeria. “It is glaring hypocrisy — criminals and political thieves are forgiven, celebrated, and rehabilitated while a man demanding self-determination and justice remains behind bars and tossed around in courts under the pretence of law,” he stated.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Pardons Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, Lawan, Grants Clemency to 82 Inmates
Sowore’s comments follow Thursday’s announcement that President Tinubu had approved a wide-ranging list of pardons and clemency, including posthumous forgiveness for nationalist Herbert Macaulay, the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, and several other individuals. The decision, endorsed by the National Council of State, also commuted death sentences and reduced prison terms for numerous inmates.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 despite multiple court rulings ordering his release. His continued detention has drawn criticism from human rights groups, legal experts, and political figures, who view it as a violation of due process.
Sowore, who has consistently advocated for Kanu’s release, urged the federal government to uphold the rule of law and respect judicial pronouncements.