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Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos State, has openly criticized the recent presidential pardon granted to dozens of convicted drug traffickers. His comments come in response to the presidency’s controversial decision to pardon 175 convicted criminals, including 70 drug lords, sparking widespread backlash across the country.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Rhodes-Vivour expressed deep concern over what he described as a national tragedy — the drug epidemic devastating Lagos youth. He questioned the priorities of the Nigerian state, especially in light of the social damage caused by drug trafficking.
“The drug crisis ravaging the youths of Lagos is a tragedy that is actively tearing families apart and wasting away the future of our youth,” GRV wrote.
He stressed that the individuals granted clemency were not low-level offenders or victims of circumstance, but career drug dealers who profited from the suffering of others.
“Those recently granted presidential pardons were not innocent victims (mules) or mere users,” he continued. “They were drug pushers and dealers, profiting from the misery of our people.”
Rhodes-Vivour also raised a critical question about the influence and connections these convicts must have had to receive such a rare and significant presidential favor:
“How is it that those fueling this drug epidemic have such powerful connections to the president or the presidency to be able to secure one-third of the presidential pardons?”
“Why are these particular set of criminals the priority of the state?”
His statement has resonated with many Nigerians, reigniting debates about justice, inequality, and the troubling signals sent by pardoning individuals deeply involved in organized crime.
