Scrap NDLEA, it’s of no use” – Melaye tells Tinubu after convıcted drųg traffıckers pardoned

Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent wave of presidential pardons, which included a significant number of individuals convicted of drug-related offenses, former Senator Dino Melaye has launched a scathing attack on the administration. In a fiery statement, Melaye accused Tinubu of undermining the hard-fought efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and setting a dangerous precedent that could embolden drug traffickers.

Melaye’s critique highlights the deep controversy surrounding the pardons, which have sparked outrage among many Nigerians. He pointed out that granting clemency to dozens of drug offenders, some of whom had served only a fraction of their sentences, sends a counterproductive message to both law enforcement and the public.

In his statement, Melaye declared: “You have wasted NDLEA’s efforts to curtail narcotics. Checks have revealed that this has not happened anywhere in the world.”

He also emphasized: “My advice to the President is to scrap the NDLEA. His action has made a beautiful nonsense of all the efforts of the agency since inception.”

Melaye’s strong words add to the chorus of condemnation from various quarters, including civil society groups and opposition parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which labeled the pardons a “national disgrace.” The former lawmaker’s comments underscore the growing concerns that the administration’s use of the prerogative of mercy is not being applied judiciously and could have serious repercussions for Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking and crime.