The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), has stated unequivocally that credible elections constitute a fundamental human right, not a privilege extended to citizens. He made this declaration during the commemoration of June 12, emphasizing that the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election remains Nigeria's most compelling proof that free, fair, and transparent elections are attainable when institutions honor the will of the people.
Electoral Model as a Benchmark
According to Ojukwu, the electoral framework introduced by the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, specifically the Option A4 and Modified Open Ballot System, demonstrated that electoral credibility could be achieved through sincerity of purpose by Electoral Management Bodies, transparency, and strict adherence to the law. He noted that this model serves as a benchmark for what is possible when commitment to integrity prevails.
Legal Foundations of Electoral Rights
The NHRC chief stressed that the right of citizens to participate in governance through free elections is guaranteed under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He warned that voter suppression, vote buying, electoral violence, and manipulation of results are not mere electoral irregularities but direct violations of citizens’ civil and political rights.
Ojukwu expressed concern that decades after the June 12 election, such practices continue to erode public confidence, undermine accountability, and diminish the dignity of Nigerian voters. He pointed out that elections lacking integrity also threaten other fundamental freedoms, including the rights to expression, association, participation, and peaceful assembly.
Call for Institutional Accountability
The NHRC Executive Secretary called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, civil society organizations, and the media to uphold neutrality, transparency, and accountability in the electoral process. He assured that the Commission would intensify monitoring of elections, document human rights violations, and pursue appropriate remedies for victims in line with its mandate.
Strengthening Legal Frameworks
Ojukwu also urged the National Assembly to strengthen legal frameworks that protect electoral independence and guarantee citizens’ access to justice. He maintained that institutionalizing electoral integrity remains critical to making free and fair elections a reality for all Nigerians, adding that the NHRC remains committed to working with stakeholders to protect citizens’ democratic rights.
