The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to go beyond symbolic speeches and take decisive action to redress the injustice of the June 12, 1993, presidential election annulment, warning that failure to act undermines Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
In a letter dated June 14, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group demanded the establishment of a presidential panel of enquiry to investigate the illegal annulment of the June 12 election and identify those responsible for what it called “deliberate violations of Nigerians’ democratic freedoms.”
The organisation further urged President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to prosecute individuals involved in the annulment, regardless of their political ties or current status.
“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,” SERAP stated.
It added that “no one is above the law, and there is no statute of limitations for violations of democratic freedoms.”
SERAP also urged President Tinubu to sponsor an executive bill to amend the Electoral Act 2022, with provisions that would make electronic transmission of results mandatory and allow every Nigerian voter, not just litigants, access to election documents.
“Amending the Electoral Act to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory and allow access for every voter would ensure free, fair, and transparent elections and improve public confidence in the electoral process,” the letter read.
In addition to electoral reforms, SERAP asked the President to order the discontinuation of all cases against peaceful protesters, and initiate reforms of laws that restrict free speech, including provisions in the Cybercrimes Act, Criminal Code, and Penal Code, such as criminal defamation and injurious falsehood, which the group says have been weaponised against journalists and critics.
“Anti-freedom of expression laws continue to be used to target, arrest, detain, and unfairly prosecute journalists, activists, critics, and other Nigerians peacefully expressing their views,” SERAP warned.
While acknowledging Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, in which he reaffirmed his commitment to the values of freedom, justice, and accountable governance, SERAP said the President must back his words with concrete action.
“Our requests are brought in the public interest and in keeping with your expressed commitment to Nigeria’s Democracy Day, the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and the country’s international human rights obligations,” the letter read.
The group issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Presidency to act on its demands or face legal action.