Key points
- GRV says pardoned offenders are pushers, not users. He warns about harm to Lagos youth today.
- He questions links between traffickers and the presidency. He asks why drug lords got priority now.
- The presidency freed 175 inmates nationwide last week. GRV says seventy were already convicted drug lords.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour questions the presidential pardon for drug traffickers. The 2023 Lagos Labour candidate says the move rewards dealers. He shared the view on his verified X handle @GRVlagos.
He said those freed were dealers, not mere users. He warned that the drug wave tears homes and ruins Lagos youth. His note followed public anger, including the Bilyaminu Bello family outrage story.
What GRV said in his post
GRV wrote that Lagos faces a harsh drug crisis. “Those freed were drug pushers and dealers,” he claimed. He said they profit from the pain of the people.
Clemency policy and rising scrutiny
Presidential clemency falls under the Prerogative of Mercy in law. It lets leaders free inmates on public interest grounds. Critics now seek clear rules and a full beneficiary list.
Reports say one hundred and seventy five inmates gained release nationwide. GRV claims seventy were drug lords jailed for trafficking. He says such mercy shuns victims in Lagos communities.
He linked the trade to broken homes and lost futures. Advocates for treatment back firm steps against supply chains. They also urge better care for users who seek help.
Rights groups want details on the pardon tests and criteria. A fresh case in Anambra showed calls for due process. Soludo urged restraint before clemency, as in Soludo sets release terms.
GRV asked why drug crime got priority in this round. He urged a full audit of names and case files. He said the state must defend young people first.
Lawyers note that mercy can fix unfair trials and terms. They say decisions should be open and based on facts. They add that victims also deserve clear answers from leaders.
GRV’s post adds to backlash that rose after the news. Officials have not detailed each case behind the 175 releases. Calls for clarity and fair rules are likely to grow.
