Dino Melaye Urges Tinubu To Scrap NDLEA, Cites Key Reason

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for granting presidential pardons to convicted drug offenders. Melaye argues this decision undermines the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and its long-standing efforts to combat narcotics.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, the former lawmaker described the presidential pardon as “unprecedented in history.” He stated that such a mass pardon for drug convicts has never occurred anywhere in the world.

Melaye’s Harsh Advice on NDLEA

Melaye offered sharp advice to the President, suggesting he should simply scrap the NDLEA. He contends that the President’s action has rendered the agency’s work “beautiful nonsensical” and wasted its efforts since inception. This move, he says, sends a damaging signal to both local and international observers of Nigeria’s anti-drug campaign.

The criticism targets President Tinubu’s use of the prerogative of mercy last Thursday. The presidential pardon covered 175 individuals. This group included 82 inmates granted full pardon, 65 who had their sentences commuted, and seven death-row convicts whose sentences were reduced to life imprisonment.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

The fallout from this decision continues to spark debate about the future of Nigeria’s anti-narcotics fight and the perceived impact on the NDLEA’s authority and morale.