SOCIO-ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to set up a presidential panel of enquiry to investigate the annulment of the elections of June 12, 1993, and to identify those suspected to be responsible for the violations of Nigerians’ democratic freedoms.

SERAP also urged him 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, regardless of their political status or affiliation.

The President had, in his speech at the National Assembly to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, expressed commitment to rededicating Nigeria 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 at the weekend signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said the commitments expressed by the President won’t be enough unless his government would demonstrate the political will to combat impunity for the annulment of the June 12 elections and advance Nigerians’ democratic freedoms.

According to SERAP, 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,” it stated.

MEANWHILE, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has congratulated recipients of the recently announced national honours conferred by the President in commemoration of June 12 Democracy Day.

The organisation described the recognition as a welcome departure from the tradition of honouring politicians and individuals with questionable public records.

HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, particularly praised the selection of Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), environmental and minority rights advocate Ledum Mitee, investigative journalism trailblazer Dapo Olorunyomi, and the posthumously honoured Ogoni Nine, led by the late Ken Saro-Wiwa.

The civil group described the decision to honour the individuals as a bold move that placed integrity and sacrifice at the centre of national recognition.

According to Suraju, the inclusion of names such as Mrs Kudirat Abiola, Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow Ogoni activists, who were also granted a full presidential pardon, sends a powerful message about justice, national memory, and the enduring impact of principled activism.

He further commended the Tinubu administration for acknowledging individuals, whose contributions had helped to shape Nigeria’s democracy, defended human rights, and stood firm in the face of repression.