The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to take concrete steps towards achieving justice and accountability for the unlawful annulment of Nigeria’s landmark June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as the most credible poll in the country’s history.
In a letter dated June 14, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the President to establish a presidential panel of inquiry to investigate the annulment and bring those responsible for suppressing Nigerians’ democratic rights to justice, regardless of their political status or affiliation.
The group’s demand followed President Tinubu’s recent Democracy Day speech, in which he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the ideals of June 12, freedom, transparency, social justice, citizen participation, and a just society where no one is oppressed.
However, SERAP insisted that public declarations alone are insufficient to fulfil those ideals without decisive government action.
“These expressed commitments won’t be enough unless your government demonstrates the political will to combat impunity for the annulment of the June 12 elections and advance Nigerians’ democratic freedoms,” the organisation stated.
SERAP also urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to draft and transmit to the National Assembly an executive bill amending the Electoral Act 2022.
The proposed amendment would make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory and expand access to election documents beyond political parties to include all voters.
According to the organisation, this would help enhance electoral transparency and build greater public trust in the democratic process.
“Amending the Electoral Act to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory and allow access to every voter to the results would ensure free, fair, and transparent elections and improve public confidence in the electoral process,” SERAP stated.
The organisation further called on the President to instruct the Attorney General to immediately discontinue all pending criminal cases against Nigerians who were arrested, detained, or prosecuted solely for peacefully exercising their rights, particularly through protest or free expression.
“There is no statute of limitations for violations of democratic freedoms.
The ideals of June 12 cannot be achieved and real democracy cannot flourish in Nigeria without electoral accountability, democratic and human rights reforms, and strict obedience to the rule of law,” SERAP argued.
It warned that failure to address the long-standing impunity surrounding the annulment of the June 12 election would only embolden future violations of electoral rights and democratic norms.
“Impunity for the annulment of the June 12 elections continues to encourage politicians to undermine the country’s elections and deny Nigerians their right to political participation and other human rights,” the group added.
SERAP also demanded broader democratic reforms, including a review of anti-free speech laws.
It called for the repeal or amendment of controversial sections of the Cybercrimes Act and provisions on criminal defamation and injurious falsehoods in Nigeria’s Criminal and Penal Codes, which it said are routinely abused to silence critics.
“Anti-freedom of expression laws continue to be used to target, arrest, detain, and unfairly prosecute journalists, activists, critics, and other Nigerians for peacefully expressing their views,” SERAP noted.
“The use and potential chilling effect of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) by law enforcement, security agencies, and politicians is deeply concerning,” the organisation added.
The group issued a seven-day ultimatum, stating that if the President fails to take the recommended steps within that period, it would consider pursuing appropriate legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
It also highlighted the limitations of the current Electoral Act, which restricts access to election materials only to parties involved in electoral petitions.
SERAP wants section 74(1) of the Act amended to grant every voter the right to review electoral documents, which it believes aligns with the spirit of section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act.
“The right to access election documents should give rise to enforceable claims under existing constitutional and legal frameworks,” the letter emphasised.
SERAP welcomed certain aspects of Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, including his pledge to expand the political space, promote dialogue over dictatorship, and ensure rights take precedence over might.
It also acknowledged the President’s call on lawmakers to be “tolerant and broad-minded” when legislating on matters of speech and civil liberties. Still, it said these words must be matched with practical reforms and policy shifts.
“Addressing impunity for the unlawful annulment of the June 12 elections and ensuring electoral and human rights reforms would improve Nigeria’s electoral process and citizens’ right to participate in their government in free, fair, and transparent elections,” SERAP maintained.
It is recalled that the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, was abruptly annulled by the military regime led by General Ibrahim Babangida.
The decision sparked widespread outrage, civil unrest, and a prolonged struggle for democratic governance.
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