More than 23,000 individuals have signed a petition calling on the federal government to grant presidential pardon to a Nigerian farmer, Mr. Sunday Jackson.

The petition on change.org seeks presidential pardon for Jackson, who was attacked on his farm by a herdsman in 2015 and, in an act of self-preservation, disarmed his assailant and used the weapon in return.

Despite the circumstances, the Supreme Court ruled on March 7, this year, that Jackson should have attempted to flee rather than defend himself, thus upholding his death sentence.

The petition, which is being spearheaded by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Youth Wing, seeks to avert a miscarriage of justice, calling on all stakeholders to act with a greater sense of justice in consideration of the circumstances.

In a statement, the Executive Council of the PFN Youth Wing, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to grant a presidential pardon to the farmer describing the Supreme Court’s ruling as a significant miscarriage of justice.

“We, alongside over 23,000 concerned individuals, are urgently appealing to President Bola Tinubu, the Council of State, the Attorney General of the Federation, and all relevant authorities to grant a presidential pardon to Sunday Jackson.

“Presidential clemency exists for moments like this, when the law has spoken, but justice demands a higher response. This is bigger than one man. It is about the kind of nation we are becoming.

“We are calling on people of every race, tribe, and conscience to stand with Sunday Jackson. We are calling on everyone who believes that justice must be just, and that mercy must not be forgotten. Let Sunday live. Let the Presidency act.

“We concerned Nigerians reject this decision as it is a miscarriage of justice. Over 23,000 of us believe that no one should be punished for fighting to live. We cannot stand by and watch an innocent man be executed for protecting himself. This is a moment of truth for justice in Nigeria,” the group stated.

 “Grant Sunday Jackson a presidential pardon,” the group appealed.