KNOWING ATIKU ABUBAKAR IN ONE MINUTE EPISODE 52

A FRAMEWORK FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE: ATIKU ABUBAKAR SETS TINUBU STRAIGHT ON PRESIDENTIAL PARDON

The efficacy of leadership is crucial for the development and progress of any nation. Leaders with integrity, vision and a commitment to the well-being of their citizens are essential for fostering a stable and prosperous society. In this context, Atiku Abubakar's critique of the presidential pardon highlights the significance of leadership qualities in governance. As he notes, "The power of presidential pardon is a solemn prerogative, a moral and constitutional instrument designed to temper justice with mercy and to underscore the humanity of the state." Atiku's assertion, ubderscores the importance of leaders exercising their powers with prudence and discernment.

Rightly so, leaders have a moral obligation to prioritise the welfare and safety of their citizens. This duty of care is fundamental to the social contract between citizens and their government. Atiku's critique of the presidential pardon emphasises the need for leaders to prioritise the greater good, particularly when exercising their powers of clemency. He observes that "A presidential pardon is meant to symbolise restitution and moral reform." Which highlights the leader's duty to care for the well-being of citizens and uphold moral standards.

Furthermore, uprightness is a critical component of authentic leadership. Leaders who demonstrate integrity, transparency and accountability are more likely to earn the trust and respect of their citizens. In this regard, Atiku's statement that "Clemency must never be confused with complicity" is particularly apt. Leaders who use their powers to absolve offenders of crimes they claim to be fighting risk undermining the rule of law and eroding the moral authority of leadership.

The interplay between leadership qualities, duty of care, and uprightness is critical in evaluating the effectiveness of leaders. Atiku notes that "When a government begins to absolve offenders of the very crimes it claims to be fighting, it erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness." Atiku's statement highlights the importance of leaders upholding the principles of justice, fairness and morality in their decision-making.

Atiku's statement on the presidential pardon thus underscores the importance of leadership qualities, duty of care to humanity and uprightness in governance. As he succinctly puts it, "Nigeria deserves a leadership that upholds justice, not one that trivialises it." This is Atiku Abubakar, Our Political Party philosophy.

Team nBAU