Probe June 12 Annulment, Expose Those Responsible – SERAP Tells Tinubu
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a presidential panel to investigate the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and name those responsible for violating the rights of Nigerians.
In a letter dated June 14, 2025, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on Tinubu to “instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN to ensure the effective prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible for the annulment, and to bring justice to the victims of the annulment.”
SERAP wrote, “Democracy is not a gift from the government to the people but a right that people must claim and defend. Impunity for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election would continue to undermine the sanctity and integrity of the ballot box and the public trust in democracy.
“There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for the gross violations of Nigerians’ rights in the context of the annulled 1993 elections and the restoration of the people’s mandate.
“The annulment is widely regarded as illegitimate and is inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights and anti-corruption commitments.
“Identifying and naming those suspected to be responsible for the annulment, and ensuring that they are brought to justice, would end the impunity of perpetrators and promote accountability. Ending impunity for the annulment would also promote democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.
“Democracy requires accountability and the rule of law, and no one should be above the law.”
SERAP further urged Tinubu to instruct Fagbemi to immediately withdraw all charges and end the prosecution of supporters of the ‘Obidient’ movement and others for peacefully exercising their rights.
“Consistently with your government’s constitutional and international obligations, everyone has the right to participate and be represented in the democratic process. Electoral and judicial processes should not be manipulated to suppress the exercise of citizens’ political rights.”
SERAP also called for an amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 to “explicitly recognise the mandatory electronic transmission of election results and provide that all election petitions and pre-election matters are concluded and justice is served before the inauguration of winners.”
According to the group, “many years after the annulment of the 1993 elections, suspected perpetrators continue to escape justice. It is in the public interest to name and shame them and ensure that they are brought to justice.
“Successive governments have failed to ensure justice and accountability for the annulled elections. Your government now has the historic opportunity to do so.
“The report and recommendations of the panel should be made widely available to Nigerians and implemented.”
The organisation added that, “ensuring the mandatory electronic transmission of election results and access of political parties to the results would improve the sanctity and integrity of the ballot and public trust in the electoral process.
“The amendment would also promote accountability and remove the dangers to the will of the people.”
SERAP warned that failure to hold those responsible for the annulment accountable would continue to “undermine the ability of Nigerians to exercise their right to vote and participate in the democratic process, and erode public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
“Election-related impunity is a threat to Nigeria’s democracy, as it invariably emboldens perpetrators to commit more infractions.”
The group gave President Tinubu seven days from the date of the letter to act or face legal action.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our requests in the public interest.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
