Outrage as Nigerians Condemn Presidential Pardon for Elite Convict While Poor Citizens Rot in Kirikiri

Nigerians have taken to social media to express outrage over reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu granted a presidential pardon to a woman convicted of killing her husband, allegedly because of her elite background.

The development has sparked heated debate across the country, with many citizens decrying the double standards in Nigeria’s justice system, where the wealthy and politically connected often escape justice while the poor face severe punishment for minor offenses.

“Many poor Nigerians have spent years in Kirikiri for petty crimes, yet Bola Tinubu granted a pardon to someone who killed her husband simply because she belongs to the elite,” one citizen lamented online.

The incident has reignited conversations about systemic inequality, class privilege, and the weaponization of justice in Nigeria. Critics argue that such acts undermine the rule of law and further deepen the public’s loss of confidence in the country’s legal and political systems.

Calls are now growing for mass mobilization and civic action, with some citizens warning that a nationwide protest larger than EndSARS may be imminent if the government continues to show disregard for fairness and accountability.

“Nigerians should be preparing for a protest even larger than EndSARS; it’s closer than ever,” another comment read, reflecting the growing public anger.

Civil society groups have urged the National Assembly and human rights organizations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the pardon, stressing that justice must not be selectively applied based on status or influence.

As tensions rise, many Nigerians are questioning whether the current administration is truly committed to justice reform or merely perpetuating the cycle of impunity and privilege that has long plagued the nation.