The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a presidential panel of enquiry to investigate the unlawful annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and identify those responsible for what it described as ‘deliberate violations of Nigerians’ democratic freedoms.’
In a letter dated 14 June 2025 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Mr Tinubu to demonstrate political will by holding perpetrators of the annulment accountable and enacting electoral and human rights reforms to fulfil his Democracy Day commitments.
SERAP specifically asked the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi to prosecute those responsible for the annulment, irrespective of their political affiliation or status.
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The organisation also wants Mr Fagbemi to urgently draft and send an executive bill to the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act 2022—making electronic transmission of election results mandatory and granting every voter access to election documents.
The organisation noted that, currently, Section 74(1) of the Act only allows parties in election petitions to access electoral documents.
SERAP argued that this should be changed to promote transparency and build public trust in the electoral process.
“The right to access election documents should give rise to claims under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act,” it stated.
Additionally, SERAP urged the President to direct Mr Fagbemi to immediately discontinue all cases involving Nigerians who are being detained or prosecuted solely for peacefully exercising their rights, including participation in protests.
The group stated that such a move would strengthen democratic freedoms and human rights protections.
In his Democracy Day address to the National Assembly, Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to the ideals of June 12, including freedom, transparent and accountable governance, social justice, citizen participation, and a society free from oppression.
SERAP welcomed these commitments but stressed that ‘they 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.’
SERAP also called on Mr Tinubu to direct Mr Fagbemi to prepare a bill amending all laws that suppress free expression, including sections of the Cybercrimes Act, and provisions on criminal defamation and injurious falsehood in the Criminal Code and Penal Code.
These laws, it said, have been weaponised against journalists, activists, critics, and ordinary Nigerians for expressing dissenting views.
The organisation raised concern over the ongoing use of these laws, as well as the increasing reliance on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) by security agencies and politicians to intimidate citizens.
It described this trend as a threat to free speech and civic engagement.
While acknowledging Mr Tinubu’s recent call on lawmakers to promote civil liberties and broaden the political space, SERAP insisted that “impunity for the annulment of the June 12 elections continues to embolden politicians to subvert electoral processes and deny citizens their rights.”
“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
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“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,” the organisation warned.
SERAP said its appeal aligns with the President’s own stated commitments, the Nigerian Constitution, and the country’s international human rights obligations.
