The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari and his administration, have been lambasted by Paul Ibe, a former senior special adviser to former vice president Atiku Abubakar, for granting presidential pardon to a former Minister, late Anthony Enahoro, when the regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon had done same in 1966.

Enahoro, was a renowned journalist and nationalist, was referred to as “Jailbird” because of his several incarcerations, and was convicted on four different times: three times under the colonial rule and once in the post-independent Nigeria.
He was pardoned by Head of State, Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon, on August 2, 1966.

The 1966 Gazette.

Enahoro was later made a Commissioner (Minister) of Information and Labour afterwards, by Gowon’s administration.
Aside Enahoro, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Lateef Kayode Jakande, Michael Adedapo Omisade, Sunday Ebietome, Effiong Okon Eyo and Samuel Akanbi Onitiri, were also pardoned.

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode bad also tweeted about the President’s error, wondering if Buhari and those working with him have lost touch of history.

Atiku’s aide, who posted the Gazette on Twitter, wrote, “How many times will Chief Anthony Enahoro be pardoned? He was pardoned by Gen. Yakubu Gowon as confirmed by this Gazette. Not surprised though because this is in line with the incompetence of this administration in which dead people had been appointed into positions.”