Picture this: it’s Thanksgiving. The cameras are snapping, people are laughing, and there you are, standing next to a turkey. With a quick signature, you save this bird from becoming dinner, and everyone smiles at the silly tradition. But then, using that same power, you pardon your son, and the world goes wild with anger.
This is the tricky world of presidential pardons—a mix of fun rituals and serious decisions that can make or break trust.
In the United States, the president’s power to pardon comes from Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution, known as the Pardon Clause. It allows the president to “grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.” While there’s a formal process involving the Office of the Pardon Attorney, the president can skip all that and act directly if they want to.
In Nigeria, the president has a similar power under Section 175(1) of the Constitution. This “prerogative of mercy” lets the president show compassion, fix judicial mistakes, or bring peace to a divided nation. But, like in the U.S., this power isn’t always used wisely. Sometimes, it feels more like a political tool than an act of kindness.
Take Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, for example. Presidential pardons have been used to reward political allies or erase corruption charges. When former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was pardoned, it caused an uproar, with many wondering if justice had been sold out for convenience.
In America, the story isn’t much different. President Obama pardoned nonviolent offenders to highlight unfair punishments, but some said he didn’t do enough. President Trump’s pardons, on the other hand, often seemed personal—like helping out friends or allies such as Roger Stone and Paul Manafort. This raised big questions about whether the pardon power was being used for justice or for favors.
Now, President Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has stirred up even more debate. Hunter faced serious charges like tax evasion and alleged drug offenses. By stepping in, Biden showed the deeply personal side of pardons, but it also raised questions: Was this a father helping his child or a president misusing his power? Just like when Nixon was pardoned decades ago, this act has sparked fierce arguments about fairness and responsibility.
What makes this power so fascinating is how it’s both praised and criticized. Take the case of Mubarak Bala in Nigeria, a prisoner of conscience. Many, including U.S. lawmakers like Jamie Raskin, have called on the Nigerian president to use the pardon power to set him free. But when that same mercy is shown to a political ally or family member, people see it as favoritism.
Experts say the power to pardon is supposed to bring a human touch to the legal system. Laws aren’t perfect, and leaders need the ability to fix mistakes. But this same freedom can easily be abused, leaving people to wonder: Where do we draw the line between justice and playing favorites?
Think back to that Thanksgiving turkey. Sparing a bird is harmless fun. Pardoning a son, though, puts a leader’s morals and decisions under the spotlight. It’s no surprise people react so strongly. These acts show the human side of leadership—for better or worse.
In the end, pardons reveal the heart of leadership. They’re about juggling personal feelings with public duty, fairness with compassion, and tradition with transformation. Maybe next time a turkey gets saved, we’ll laugh at the lighthearted moment but also remember the big questions that come with this immense power.
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