Yoruba Union Warns: “Murderers And Drug Barons May Soon Become Leaders”

Condemns Tinubu’s Clemency For Convicted Criminals, Says Action Threatens Justice And Moral Order

The Yoruba socio-political organisation, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to grant presidential clemency to convicted criminals, describing it as a dangerous move that undermines justice and erodes the moral foundation of Nigeria.

In a statement released on Sunday and signed by the Union’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and its Home Director, Princess Balogun, the group said President Tinubu’s decision “sets a disturbing precedent that could one day see murderers, drug barons, and economic saboteurs rise to positions of power.”

> “The decision to pardon individuals convicted of heinous crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, and illegal mining represents a grave miscarriage of justice,” the statement read.
“By absolving convicted criminals through political influence, President Tinubu is normalising impunity at the highest level of governance. This erodes public confidence in the judiciary, weakens democratic institutions, and sends a wrong message that crime pays in Nigeria.”

The Yoruba Union described Tinubu’s clemency as a betrayal of justice, morality, and Yoruba Omolúàbí values, which emphasise integrity, accountability, and respect for life.

> “How can a president of a country wake up and announce he is going to pardon murderers and drug barons, at a time when Nigeria faces overwhelming challenges — insecurity, poverty, unemployment, decaying education, and a collapsing health sector?” the statement queried.

The group criticised the pardon as an insensitive affront to victims and their families, citing the controversial case of Maryam Sanda, who was convicted for killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, the son of a former PDP National Chairman.

> “While the parents of Bilyamin Bello still live with the pain of losing their son, the government has chosen to reward his killer with freedom. Would they ever find peace knowing that the same country that convicted their son’s murderer has now pardoned her for political reasons?” the Union asked.
“Such acts of favoritism destroy the moral compass of our society.”

Tinubu’s Past In Question

The Yoruba Union also referenced Tinubu’s controversial past, recalling the 1993 U.S. court ruling that linked him to narcotics trafficking.

> “It is deeply troubling that someone who once forfeited $460,000 to the U.S. government as proceeds of drug trafficking now holds the power to pardon others convicted of similar crimes,” the group said.
“What moral standing does such a leader have to speak about law, justice, and integrity?”

The group quoted the U.S. District Court’s findings that Tinubu and his associates were involved in “substantial narcotics trafficking and money laundering operations,” with the forfeited funds declared as proceeds of those crimes.

Selective Justice And Class Privilege

The Union lamented what it described as selective justice, where the powerful are forgiven while the poor face the full weight of the law.

To illustrate, it cited the case of Jackson, a farmer from Adamawa State, who was sentenced to death in 2013 for killing a Fulani herder in self-defence after the latter allegedly invaded his farmland.

> “In a country where a poor farmer defending his life is condemned to die, while a convicted murderer walks free by presidential pardon, justice has lost all meaning,” the group stated.
“This imbalance deepens mistrust in governance and erodes citizens’ faith in the very institutions meant to protect them.

According to the Yoruba Union, Tinubu’s action is eroding Yoruba values of fairness, justice, and communal responsibility.

> “When the state chooses to glorify criminals and corrupt figures in politics, it teaches a generation that crime is a legitimate path to success,” the statement warned.
“This is what happens when people vote for leaders guided by self-interest rather than moral conviction. Nigeria risks becoming a country trapped in a cycle of corruption, insecurity, and despair.”

Calling for collective action, the Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá urged religious leaders, civil society organisations, and citizens to rise against what it described as “the creeping normalisation of evil” in Nigeria’s governance.

> “The Yoruba people have always stood for truth, justice, and fairness,” it said.
“We cannot sit back while our nation descends into moral chaos. President Tinubu must remember that leadership is not about rewarding allies but about upholding justice, protecting the innocent, and preserving the integrity of the Republic.”

The group further called on Nigerians, especially the Yoruba, to remain vigilant and reject any attempt to normalise corruption and moral decay in national life.

> “Only divine intervention can save Nigeria if this culture of impunity continues,” the Union concluded.