SERAP Urges Tinubu To Probe Annulment Of June 12 Election, Punish Perpetrators
SERAP Urges Tinubu To Probe Annulment Of June 12 Election, Punish Perpetrators
SERAP urged him “to direct Mr Fagbemi to immediately discontinue all the cases of Nigerians arrested, detained and facing unfair prosecutions solely for peacefully exercising their human rights, including participating in peaceful protests.”
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently establish a presidential panel of inquiry to investigate the unlawful annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections and identify those responsible for the deliberate violation of Nigerians’ democratic rights.
SERAP urged the President “to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, as a defender of public interest, to bring to justice anyone responsible for the unlawful annulment of the elections of June 12 1993, regardless of their political status or affiliation.”
SERAP also urged him “to direct Mr Fagbemi to urgently draft and send to the National Assembly an executive bill to amend the Electoral Act 2022, including to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory and allow access of every voter to election documents.”
SERAP urged him “to direct Mr Fagbemi to immediately discontinue all the cases of Nigerians arrested, detained and facing unfair prosecutions solely for peacefully exercising their human rights, including participating in peaceful protests.”
The President, in his speech at the National Assembly to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, expressed commitment “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.”
In a letter dated June 14, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation stated: “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.”
“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 own government in free, fair and transparent elections.”
SERAP also urged the President 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.”
The organisation expressed concern 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) 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,” it added.
In February, former military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), acknowledged that the late Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, describing its annulment as the “most difficult” decision of his life.
Babangida made the revelation in his newly released autobiography, “A Journey in Service”, which was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
At the book launch, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who reviewed the work, quoted Babangida as confirming that Abiola, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, met all constitutional requirements, including securing the majority of votes and the necessary geographical spread, to be declared president.
“There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements,” Babangida stated.
The former military ruler admitted that annulling the election was a defining moment in his career.
Following the book launch, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, strongly condemned the continued recognition and celebration of the former dictator.
Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, described Babangida as a “villain” responsible for Nigeria’s democratic setbacks.
In an interview with Nigerian Info FM, Sowore decried the fact that Babangida, who annulled the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, was being honoured instead of facing justice for his actions.
He expressed dismay that the former leader, instead of “rotting in jail,” was enjoying privileges and reverence despite his role in what many consider one of Nigeria’s darkest political betrayals.
Babangida, popularly known as IBB, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, remains a controversial figure in the nation’s political history.
His annulment of the June 12 election led to political unrest and prolonged military rule, which ended in 1999.
Many Nigerians still hold him responsible for derailing the country’s democratic process.
