…Insists on justice, presidential probe after 32 years
…Demands immediate repeal of anti-expression laws targeting protesters, journalists
…Threatens legal action if FG fails to act within 7 days
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately establish a presidential panel of enquiry to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in the unlawful annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In a letter dated June 14, 2025, the rights group demanded sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system and the repeal of repressive laws that violate citizens’ right to free expression.
The group further warned it would take legal action against the Federal Government if no concrete steps are taken within seven days.
In a statement signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, the organisation declared: “No one is above the law, and 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 urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to immediately bring to justice all those who played a role in the annulment, regardless of their current or former political positions.
Also, it called for the urgent drafting and transmission of an executive bill to the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act 2022, making the electronic transmission of election results mandatory and allowing all Nigerian voters access to election documents, not just parties to an election petition.
According to SERAP: “Amending the Electoral Act to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory and allow access of every voter to the results would ensure free, fair and transparent elections and improve public confidence in the electoral process.
“Impunity for the annulment of the June 12 elections has continued to encourage politicians to undermine the country’s elections and deny Nigerians their right to political participation and other human rights.”
SERAP didn’t stop at electoral reform. It also urged President Tinubu to instruct Mr Fagbemi to immediately discontinue all cases against citizens who are arrested, detained, or prosecuted solely for participating in peaceful protests or exercising their rights to freedom of expression.
The group stated: “Directing Mr Fagbemi to immediately discontinue all the cases against Nigerians facing prosecutions solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights would strengthen democratic freedoms and improve respect for human rights and the rule of law.”
The organisation demanded a review of laws it described as anti-democratic, including sections of the Cybercrimes Act, Criminal Code, and Penal Code, which are frequently used to arrest and harass journalists, critics, and activists.
SERAP urged the president: “Direct Mr Fagbemi to urgently draft and send to the National Assembly an executive bill to amend all anti-freedom of expression laws, including the provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and criminal defamation and injurious falsehood provisions in the Criminal Code and Penal Code.”
SERAP warned that failure to act within seven days of the receipt or publication of the letter would lead to appropriate legal actions to compel the government’s compliance. The organisation stressed that its demands are grounded in constitutional and international legal obligations.
The letter noted that Section 74(1) of the current Electoral Act only allows access to election documents to parties in election petitions — a limitation SERAP insists must be amended.
While welcoming Tinubu’s Democracy Day remarks, SERAP warned that without addressing the deep-rooted impunity for electoral injustice, his administration risks repeating the failures of the past.
It added, “SERAP notes and welcomes your expressed commitment made in your speech in commemoration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, including to ‘rededicate ourselves to the ideals of June 12: freedom, transparent and accountable government, social justice, active citizen participation, and a just society where no one is oppressed.
“SERAP is concerned that anti-freedom of expression laws such as the provisions of the criminal defamation and injurious falsehood provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code continue to be used to target, arrest, detain and unfairly prosecute journalists, activists, critics and other Nigerians peacefully expressing their views.
“SERAP is also concerned about the use and potential chilling effect of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) by law enforcement and security agencies and politicians to intimidate and harass journalists, activists, critics and other Nigerians simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”
“The combined effect of your expressed commitment, the Nigerian Constitution, your oath of office, and the country’s international human rights obligations is the requirement for your government to combat the lingering impunity for the annulment of the June 12 elections, and advance the democratic freedoms and human rights of Nigerians.”
