Most Governors in Nigeria are hesitant to sign death warrants due to several complex reasons.
Their stand may not be far from some moral and religious convictions
Experts say many governors are deeply influenced by their personal beliefs, with both Christianity and Islam emphasizing mercy and forgiveness.

According to NAN findings in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states, this makes them reluctant to authorize such pending executions.
Also, some of them take such actions due to the fear of wrongful convictions.

Nigeria’s legal system is often criticised for delays, weak investigation procedures, and a lack of access to quality legal representation, raising concerns about potential wrongful convictions.
Others hinged their procrastination on political sensitivity as they think signing a death warrant can be politically risky, potentially alienating voters or interest groups who oppose capital punishment.
Also, some governors say they could face protests or opposition from human rights groups and religious organizations.

Similarly, the long appeal process, which can take many years, makes things even slower. People on death row have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal and even to the Supreme Court.
This makes the governors cautious about signing death warrants without exhausting all legal avenues.
Nigeria’s commitment to international human rights treaties, which frequently condemn capital punishment, could also affect the decisions made by governors.

Some governors might genuinely uphold the value of life and reject capital punishment based on moral principles.
These factors combined create a de facto moratorium on executions, leaving thousands of condemned inmates in limbo.
some experts and citizens are pushing for a review of the constitutional rule, proposing that Judges should be the ones to sign death warrants instead of governors.

In Kano, the people have expressed different opinions on whether the death penalty should stay in the country’s constitution or be taken out.

Some believe that the governors’ lack of action on carrying out death sentences makes the rule useless, while others firmly think it should stay in the law.

Prof. Yahaya Bunkure, of the Department of Science Education, Bayero University, wholeheartedly supports the constitutional provision under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.
It empowers state governors to lend their consent before the execution of individuals sentenced to death.

This provision is a critical safeguard that underscores the gravity of capital punishment.
It ensures that the decision to end a life is not taken lightly but is subject to a final review by an elected official who represents the will of the people.
He said, “However, I believe there is a need for an amendment to this section to compel governors to strictly adhere to its provisions.

“This amendment should ensure that all possible avenues, including those of amnesty and adherence to the rule of law, are exhausted before any execution can proceed.
“By doing so, we would reinforce the integrity of our judicial system, promote transparency, and ensure that mercy and justice are not just options but obligations that governors must consider seriously.”

Alhaji Abubakar Malam of Unguwar Wambai suggested amending the law to allow for life imprisonment or a specific number of years at the court’s discretion.
He said that Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution gives governors the power of prerogative of mercy over convicts, but argued that this power is not absolute and can be subject to certain conditions.
Malam said, “The debate highlights the complexities surrounding the death penalty and the need for careful consideration of its implications.”
Alhaji Abdulsalam Mohammad, a resident of Unguwa Uku in Tarauni Local Government Area, lamented that Nigerian governors have failed to sign death warrants for condemned criminals over the past two decades.
He suggested that the legislature should amend the constitution to make it mandatory for governors to sign death warrants within a specified timeframe, such as three months, after a Court verdict is pronounced, to uphold justice and promote the rule of law.
Mr Paul Israel, of Igbo Road in Sabon Gari Area, believed that notorious criminals who had committed heinous crimes and were sentenced to death should be executed.
He decried that governors often fail to sign death warrants, leading to overcrowding in prisons and the potential for released inmates to return to criminal activities.
Israel advocated compelling state executives to sign death warrants, arguing that this would help curb rising criminality in the country.
Some individuals alleged that governors are hesitant to sign death warrants due to corruption, despite it being constitutional.
They recalled that during the military era, administrators were more inclined to enforce the law, which maintained order in society.
Some individuals, like Mr Friday John, advocated abolishing the death penalty, citing that many developed countries had done so.
They argued that governors should not sign death warrants, emphasising the value of life.
Alhaji Musa Abdullahi of Hotoro Quarters, who opposed abolishing the death penalty, instead urged governors to fulfill their statutory responsibility of signing death warrants.
He warned that failing to apply the law in cases of treason, homicide, and armed robbery could have repercussions, and argued that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to potential offenders.

In Katsina State, a legal practitioner, Mr Abdullahi Muhammad, has called for the removal of the state governors consent in signing the death warrant of convicts.
Muhammad made the call on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.