By Abiola Olawale
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a bold call to President Bola Tinubu, urging immediate action to prosecute those responsible for the infamous annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest.
In the letter dated June 14, 2025, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP challenged the President to move beyond rhetoric and deliver justice for what it calls a “deliberate violation of Nigerians’ democratic freedoms.”
The organisation called on Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to investigate and bring to justice all individuals involved in the annulment, regardless of their political clout.
“No one is above the law, and there is no statute of limitations for violations of democratic freedoms,” SERAP declared.
The call comes on the heels of Tinubu’s Democracy Day address at the National Assembly, where he reaffirmed his commitment to the ideals of June 12.
SERAP, however, maintained that these words are hollow without concrete action.
The organisation said: “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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“SERAP also urges you to 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.
“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Recall that June 12, 1993 presidential elections evidently won by late Chief MKO Abiola was annulled by the administration of former military president Ibrahim Babangida.
The regime at that time, while announcing the annulment, had said it was the decision of the Armed Forces Ruling Council and the National Defence and Secirity Council that the election be annulled.
