The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reaffirmed that credible elections are a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed to every Nigerian, declaring that the right to freely choose leaders is not a privilege bestowed by those in authority but a constitutional entitlement of all citizens.
In a statement to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, said the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election remains a powerful testament to Nigeria’s capacity to conduct free, fair and transparent elections when democratic institutions uphold the will of the people.
Ojukwu noted that the electoral framework introduced by Humphrey Nwosu, particularly the Option A4 and Modified Open Ballot systems, demonstrated that credible elections are achievable when electoral management bodies operate with integrity, transparency and strict adherence to legal provisions.
According to him, the right of citizens to participate in governance through genuine elections is firmly guaranteed under Nigeria’s Constitution and various regional human rights instruments, stressing that electoral malpractice constitutes a direct violation of fundamental freedoms.
He argued that acts such as voter suppression, vote buying, electoral violence and manipulation of election results should not be regarded merely as administrative lapses but as serious infringements on civil and political rights.
The NHRC chief expressed concern that more than three decades after the historic June 12 election, many of the challenges that undermine electoral credibility continue to persist, eroding public trust in democratic institutions and weakening confidence in the electoral process.
“Whenever elections lose their integrity, the rights to freedom of expression, association, participation and peaceful assembly are also placed at risk,” he stated.
Ojukwu called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, civil society organisations and the media to remain committed to neutrality, transparency and accountability in the conduct of elections.
He assured Nigerians that the Commission would intensify its monitoring of electoral processes nationwide, document violations and pursue appropriate remedies for victims in line with its statutory mandate.
The NHRC boss also urged the National Assembly to strengthen legal safeguards that protect the independence of electoral institutions and improve citizens’ access to electoral justice.
He maintained that institutionalising electoral integrity is essential to deepening democracy and protecting the right of every Nigerian to freely elect their leaders, adding that the Commission remains ready to collaborate with government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that credible elections become a permanent feature of Nigeria’s democratic culture.
The statement, signed by the NHRC Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to advancing democratic governance through the promotion and protection of electoral rights.
