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News Analysis: Presidential Pardon: A Value of Mercy or A Caricature of Justice

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

On October 11, 2025, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu granted clemency on 175 prisoners across the country. In the list was the infamous Maryam Sanda, whom was convicted to death by hanging in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, in 2017.

The announcement came as a shock to many Nigerians, and as such contributed to a wide range of intense debate on the social media space. While some, particularly the media aides, argued that the president has the power in abundance to pardon any offender if found remorseful and ready to turn a new leave, the rest of the citizens maintained that it’s a stain, or rather a mockery of the law for the president to pardon such culprits; conversely making culprits believing that a presidential pardon is enough for any crime they commit, thereby leaving the offended at the receiving end with hurt.

The latter set of the netizens are particularly worried that such cases, if not duly executed as judged by the court in order to serve as a deterrent to others who might have been harbouring such evil in their minds, will give room to onward domestic violence.

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Constitutionally, the president affirmatively has enormous power to pardon offenders of their crimes, but with the condition that they are found remorseful of their crimes and ready for a better change from their previous lives. Not only that, they’re also limitations to the nature of crimes the president can pardon. From crimes of sexual assault, fraud, murder, drug trafficking and all others, it’s only the ones recognized and filed at the federal level that can be pardoned by the president. All these are duly outlined in section 175 of the Nigerian 1999 constitution.

In the case of Maryam Sanda, whom was sentenced to death by hanging, there are reports that she has been filing for appeal of the judgment; reason why she had spent six years and some months in the prison. For someone who couldn’t secure an appeal against her death sentence judgement from any court of jurisdiction in six years, that speaks a lot of how heinous her crime is.

The pertinent questions are:

1. A value of mercy or a caricature of justice: which, between the two, was demonstrated by the president?

2. Should Maryam Sanda be granted freedom?

3. Even if she is now remorseful, after deliberately terminating the life of Bilyaminu Bello, should she be executed as judged in order to serve as an example to others?

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Governor Yusuf Approves 200 Riyals Support, Ihram for Each Kano Pilgrim

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a cash support of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each intending pilgrim from the state for the 2026 hajj exercise.

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, disclosed this on Sunday during the launch of the practical demonstration session organised by the Kano State pilgrims Welfare Board for prospective pilgrims in Kano.

 

Speaking at the event, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo explained that the exercise was organized to educate, inform, spiritually prepare the intending pilgrims for the Hajj rites from Ihram to Tawaf, from Sa’i to Arafat, from Muzdalifah to Mina and the symbolic stoning of the Jamarat.

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He stated that the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to the welfare and well-being of all the pilgrims from the state.

 

Garo said, “This demonstration is a vital aspect of Hajj preparation. Hajj is not merely a journey of travel; it is a sacred act of worship that requires adequate knowledge, discipline, patience and sincere devotion to Allah.”

 

Garo further conveyed the Governor’s goodwill gesture to the pilgrims.

 

He added, “I also wish to give the good tidings to our pilgrims that the Kano State Government has approved the sum of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each and every intending pilgrim as a compliment from His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

 

The Deputy Governor also revealed that the administration has secured conducive accommodation arrangements to ensure the comfort and convenience of the pilgrims throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.

 

According to him, the state government has equally deployed well-trained medical personnel to complement healthcare services provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), saying qualified Islamic scholars have also been selected to provide spiritual guidance during the exercise.

 

He urged the intending pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of Kano State and Nigeria by obeying the laws of Saudi Arabia and conducting themselves with discipline, humility, and responsibility throughout the pilgrimage.

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6 Kano Central Senatorial Aspirants Withdraw for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau

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Six Kano Central senatorial aspirants have withdrawn for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in the forthcoming 2027 general election.

One of the senatorial aspirants and a former Kano State Head of Service, Alhaji Usman Bala Muhammad, stated this while addressing journalists at Aminu Kano House in Abuja.

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Those that Withdraw for Malam Ibrahim Shekarau are Dr Muhammad Zango,Alhaji Danyaro Yakasai,Usman Bala Muhammad ,Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada and Shehu Isah Direba.

 

The aspirants have already purchased their nominations forms and submitted to APC secretariat before they were called for a consensus by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

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Obi Thunders at NDC Convention: ‘Rethink Now, Tyrants! Nigerians Will Reclaim Power in 2027!

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

 

The presidential hopeful of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, vowed today at the party’s national convention in Abuja to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the support of Nigerians.

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In his words: “To the beneficiaries of democracy who have now turned themselves into agents of destruction, depriving Nigerians of the democracy they enjoy—who think we will not have a free and fair election in 2027—let them rethink now, because we are going to have a free, fair, and credible election.”

 

The party’s convention today officially unveiled the NDC as the country’s second most vibrant opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

With both Mr. Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in the NDC, and Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen in the ADC, the political atmosphere is set for a power play in 2027.

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