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Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Monday, approved the unconditional release of no fewer than 23 convicts.
Yahaya said his approval was a sequel to the approval of the state’s advisory council on the prerogative of mercy.
Others are the commutation of life sentences for two convicts to 15 years, the reduction of two death sentences to life imprisonment, the adjustment of one detainee’s sentence to 10 years, and the commutation of death sentences for four convicts on death row to 15 years imprisonment.
The governor stated this in a goodwill message on Nigeria at 64 and Gombe at 28.
He said, “Following recommendations from the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, I have approved the pardon and commutation of sentences for several convicts across various custodial centres.
“This clemency includes the unconditional release of 23 convicts, the commutation of life sentences for two convicts to 15 years, the reduction of two death sentences to life imprisonment, the adjustment of one detainee’s sentence to 10 years, and the commutation of death sentences for four convicts on death row to 15 years imprisonment.
“It is my hope that this act of mercy will provide the individuals with an opportunity for rehabilitation and positive reintegration into society.”
While stating his resolve to provide dividends of democracy, the governor noted that since assuming office in 2019, “My administration has been unwavering in its commitment to uplifting the socioeconomic well-being of our people.
"We have worked tirelessly to deliver impactful projects and policies that directly benefit our citizens, from infrastructure development to healthcare, education, and job creation.
“Some of our key achievements include the construction of over 900 kilometres of roads across all local government areas, the expansion of healthcare facilities with fully functional Primary Health Care centres in every ward, and ensuring access to quality education through the renovation and construction of classrooms and mega schools, and the recruitment of qualified teaching staff.
"These initiatives reflect our dedication to ensuring that every citizen of Gombe State has access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.”
Yahaya added, “As we move forward, our focus will remain on deepening these efforts. We are determined to empower our youth, support our farmers, and improve the quality of life for every family in our state.
“Our commitment to the future of Gombe State and Nigeria is unshakeable, and we will continue to work hard to deliver on our promises in order to put Gombe State on the path of sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
“However, we must also acknowledge the economic challenges and hardships that many people are currently facing. The removal of fuel subsidies and other economic reforms have brought significant inflationary pressures, and we understand the difficulties that families are experiencing as a result.
“While these reforms are necessary steps towards ensuring long-term economic stability, we are acutely aware of its immediate impact on the lives of our people."
He said his administration had rolled out palliative measures, including food distribution programmes targeting over 750,000 beneficiaries and a transport allowance for state workers to ease the burden.
“We are also in discussions with relevant stakeholders about implementing the new federal minimum wage to ensure that our workers can better cope with the rising cost of living,” he said.
