Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lafia, Nasarawa State — In a remarkable display of clemency and humanitarian goodwill, Governor Abdullahi Audu Sule marked his 66th birthday anniversary by spending time with inmates and granting pardon to 33 prisoners at custodial centres across Nasarawa State. The action, announced and confirmed by posts from official corrections authorities and state media outlets, underscores the governor’s use of constitutional prerogatives to extend mercy and promote rehabilitation as part of his leadership ethos.
Governor Sule, who celebrated his birthday on December 26, 2025, utilised the occasion to visit the Lafia Custodial Centre where he interacted directly with inmates, prison officials, and corrections staff. Rather than holding personal celebrations, the governor chose a setting that he described as symbolic of service, compassion, and reflection on governance responsibilities, especially toward citizens who have been marginalised by the justice system.
In a statement shared by the Nigerian Correctional Service, the governor formally announced the pardon of 33 inmates selected from various correctional facilities in the state. The gesture was executed pursuant to Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which grants executive authorities the power to grant reprieve, pardon, or sentence remission on advice from the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
According to the release, beneficiaries of the pardon were chosen based on a range of factors, including demonstrated good behaviour, the severity and nature of their offences, and evidence of genuine remorse or rehabilitation. The governor emphasised that the exercise was not merely symbolic but rooted in the belief that the justice system should balance accountability with opportunities for reform and reintegration into society.
Governor Sule’s actions were lauded by corrections officials present at the event, who highlighted the importance of such gestures in reinforcing the rehabilitative mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service. They noted that pardons can serve as powerful incentives for positive behaviour among inmates and as reminders of the possibility of redemption for those committed to personal change.
Inmates granted clemency expressed heartfelt gratitude to the governor, describing the pardon as a life-changing opportunity. Families of the beneficiaries, many of whom gathered at the custodial centre to witness the announcement, celebrated the news as a source of renewed hope and anticipated reunions after years apart.
The event also featured contributions from state correctional service personnel, who underscored ongoing efforts to incorporate vocational training, educational programmes, and counselling services within custodial centres. These initiatives aim to equip inmates with practical skills and psychological support necessary for successful reintegration upon release.
Governors’ exercise of prerogative of mercy has been part of Nigeria’s broader penal policy framework, often used to decongest overcrowded correctional facilities and to recognise inmates who have shown good conduct or extenuating circumstances. While similar gestures have been recorded in other states during national celebrations and milestones, Governor Sule’s decision to align his personal birthday observance with a clemency exercise drew widespread attention for its humanitarian focus.
Political observers noted that the pardon aligns with broader calls for justice sector reforms in Nigeria, where custody conditions, extended pretrial detention, and rehabilitation outcomes remain pressing issues. Mercy gestures like gubernatorial pardons are viewed by advocates as complementary to systemic efforts aimed at reducing recidivism and enhancing social reintegration mechanisms.
Governor Sule, an engineer and politician who has served as Nasarawa State governor since 2019, celebrated his birthday with a message of service to the state’s people and reaffirmed his position that leadership is fundamentally about enhancing human dignity and offering second chances where appropriate. His choice to share his milestone with inmates and extend mercy to deserving candidates reflects an emphasis on compassionate governance and restorative justice principles.
Public reactions on social media and within political circles praised the governor for his compassionate approach, with many commentators describing the pardon as a meaningful way to give back to society. Civil society advocates also welcomed the gesture, urging continued focus on reforms that support rehabilitation, human rights protections, and community reintegration for those who have served under the justice system.
As the pardoned inmates begin their journeys toward freedom and reintegration, state officials emphasised the importance of community support structures and follow-up programmes that help former inmates rebuild their lives, contribute to their families, and avoid pathways that could lead back to criminal conduct.
Governor Sule’s choice to mark his 66th birthday anniversary not with fanfare but with a gesture of clemency and compassion illustrates a leadership style grounded in service and empathy, and adds to ongoing discussions about the role of mercy within Nigeria’s justice framework.
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