The Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, says that credible elections are fundamental human right and not a privilege.
Ojukwu said in a statement to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, on Friday, June 12, that the commemoration of June 12 was a reminder to this democratic fact.
He said that the June 12, 1993 election in Nigeria was the country’s clearest proof that free, fair and transparent polls was possible when institutions respect the will of the people.
He noted that late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu’s option A4 and the Modified Open Ballot system demonstrated that electoral integrity could be achieved through sincerity of the Electoral Management Body, openness and fidelity to the law.
“The right to participate in government through free elections is protected under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“Voter suppression, vote buying, electoral violence and result manipulation are not merely procedural flaws but direct violations of citizens’ civil and political rights,” he said.
He expressed concern that three decades later, these violations continued to undermine public trust, weaken accountability and erode the dignity of Nigerian voters.
He added that when elections lacked integrity, the rights to expression, association, participation and peaceful assembly are also threatened.
Ojukwu, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), therefore, called on INEC, political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, civil society and the media to uphold neutrality, transparency and accountability.
He affirmed that the NHRC will intensify its monitoring of electoral processes, document violations and pursue remedies for Nigerians and victims in line with its mandate.
He urged the National Assembly to strengthen laws safeguarding electoral independence and access to justice.
“Institutionalising electoral integrity is essential to realising the right to free and fair elections in Nigeria.
“NHRC stands ready to work with Government and all stakeholders to make credible elections a lived reality for every citizen,” he said.
The Nigerian Government had in 2018 declared June 12 Democracy Day to commemorate the historic annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by late MKO Abola.
GIK/APA