‘Infantile political rant’ — Lagos APC tackles Atiku for criticising pardon list review

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos says Nigeria deserves better than the “infantile and bitterness-driven politics” of opposition leaders.

Seye Oladejo, Lagos APC spokesperson, spoke in a statement on Thursday while responding to criticisms of President Bola Tinubu by some opposition figures.

Former vice-president Atiku Abubakar had berated Tinubu over the reversal of the presidential pardon earlier granted to convicted drug traffickers, kidnappers, and other criminals.

On Wednesday, Tinubu ordered the removal of persons convicted for kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms from the list of beneficiaries, under the federal government’s prerogative of mercy.

Abubakar said the decision to cancel the pardon came only after Nigerians expressed outrage, describing the move as “too little, too late”.

Oladejo said Abubakar’s reaction “reeked of political bitterness”, insisting that the president acted with sincerity and responsibility.

“Nigeria deserves better than desperation politics,” Oladejo said.

“The public is wary of this infantile, bitterness-driven politics where sound governance decisions are attacked merely for noise-making.”

He said Tinubu’s actions were guided by due process and national interest, not “social media theatrics”.

“President Tinubu is strengthening institutions, not pandering to emotions,” he added.

“While responsible leaders build, petty politicians rant.”

The APC spokesperson said leadership is about accountability, not showmanship, adding that Tinubu’s decisions reflected “constitutional discipline and maturity”.

“Unlike the impulsive and uninformed commentary that has become the trademark of the opposition, the president’s choices are shaped by rule of law and national interest,” he said.

“In advanced democracies, informed review and reconsideration are marks of credible leadership, not weakness.

“Only in the shallow corners of the opposition’s imagination does consultation and constitutional refinement translate to a U-turn.”

Oladejo said Tinubu will continue to show courage and clarity of purpose in governance, rejecting the “political bitterness and confusion” of those who have been repeatedly rejected at the polls.

“Nigeria is moving forward — and no amount of political tantrums will change that reality,” he added.