The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a potent call to action, urging President Bola Tinubu to confront the lingering injustice surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. This historic election, widely believed to have been won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, was abruptly annulled by the military regime, plunging Nigeria into a period of political turmoil and setting back the nation’s democratic aspirations. SERAP’s appeal, conveyed in a letter to the President, emphasizes the need for concrete steps to address this historical wrong and safeguard Nigeria’s democratic future. The organization contends that mere pronouncements of commitment are insufficient; tangible action is required to combat impunity and uphold the principles of freedom, justice, and accountable governance.
SERAP’s central demand is the establishment of a presidential panel of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the annulment. This panel would be tasked with identifying the individuals responsible for the blatant disregard for the democratic will of the Nigerian people. Furthermore, SERAP insists on the prosecution of those implicated, irrespective of their political standing or affiliations. This pursuit of accountability, the organization argues, is crucial to deter future attempts to subvert the electoral process and erode democratic freedoms. The organization underscores that no one is above the law and that the passage of time does not diminish the gravity of these violations.
Beyond addressing the past injustice, SERAP advocates for proactive measures to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework. The organization calls for amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, specifically mandating the electronic transmission of election results. This measure, SERAP believes, would enhance transparency and public trust in the electoral process. Additionally, SERAP proposes granting all voters access to election documents, not just litigants in election petitions, thereby empowering citizens to scrutinize election outcomes and hold officials accountable. These reforms, SERAP contends, are essential to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in the future.
SERAP’s advocacy extends beyond electoral reforms to encompass broader concerns about freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest. The organization urges the President to direct the Attorney General to drop all charges against individuals arrested or prosecuted solely for exercising these fundamental rights. SERAP also calls for reforms to laws that unduly restrict free expression, including provisions in the Cybercrimes Act, Criminal Code, and Penal Code. These laws, the organization argues, have been instrumentalised to silence journalists, activists, and critics, creating a chilling effect on public discourse. SERAP warns against the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) as a tool of intimidation by state actors, emphasizing the need to protect individuals from frivolous and vexatious litigation aimed at stifling their voices.
SERAP’s letter explicitly acknowledges President Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, in which he expressed commitment to the ideals of June 12. However, the organization stresses that these pronouncements must be translated into concrete action. The failure to address the June 12 annulment, SERAP warns, sets a dangerous precedent, emboldening politicians to undermine elections and deny citizens their fundamental rights. Impunity for past transgressions perpetuates a cycle of electoral malpractice and democratic backsliding. Therefore, SERAP contends that President Tinubu has a unique opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to democratic principles by taking decisive action to address the legacy of June 12.
The letter concludes with a seven-day ultimatum, giving the government a limited window to respond to SERAP’s demands. Should the government fail to act within this timeframe, SERAP declares its intention to pursue legal action to compel compliance. This firm stance underscores the organization’s resolve to hold the government accountable for its promises and to ensure that the ideals of June 12 – freedom, justice, and accountable governance – are not merely rhetorical flourishes but become the bedrock of Nigeria’s democratic future. The annulment of the June 12 election remains a deeply sensitive issue in Nigeria, symbolizing a betrayal of democratic aspirations. SERAP’s intervention seeks to bring closure to this historical injustice and to pave the way for a more robust and resilient democracy.
