By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has declared that credible elections are a fundamental human right and not a privilege, urging all stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process as the nation marks Democracy Day.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, made the assertion in a Democracy Day statement signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed,
Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria described the June 12, 1993 presidential election as a historic reminder that Nigerians can conduct free, fair, and transparent elections when institutions respect the will of the people.
Ojukwu said the annulled June 12 election remains the clearest evidence that electoral credibility is achievable in Nigeria, noting that the electoral framework introduced by the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, particularly the Option A4 and Modified Open Ballot systems, demonstrated how transparency and fidelity to the law can strengthen public confidence in elections.
According to him, the success of the 1993 poll underscored the importance of sincerity on the part of electoral management bodies and adherence to established legal and democratic principles.
The NHRC boss stressed that participation in government through free and fair elections is guaranteed under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, making electoral integrity a critical component of the protection of citizens’ rights.
He warned that practices such as voter suppression, vote buying, electoral violence, and manipulation of election results should not be viewed merely as administrative shortcomings but as serious violations of the civil and political rights of Nigerians.
Ojukwu expressed concern that more than three decades after the June 12 election, such challenges continue to undermine public confidence in the democratic process, weaken accountability, and diminish the dignity of voters.
He noted that when elections lose credibility, other fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, association, participation, and peaceful assembly, are also placed at risk.
The Executive Secretary therefore called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, civil society organisations, and the media to uphold the principles of neutrality, transparency, and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening electoral accountability, disclosing that the NHRC would intensify its monitoring of electoral processes across the country, document violations, and pursue appropriate remedies for victims in line with its statutory mandate.
Ojukwu also urged the National Assembly to enact stronger legal safeguards capable of protecting electoral independence and guaranteeing citizens access to justice in electoral matters.
He maintained that institutionalising electoral integrity remains essential to the realization of the right to free and fair elections and the consolidation of democratic governance in Nigeria.
The human rights advocate therefore assured that the NHRC stands ready to collaborate with government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that credible elections become a practical reality for every Nigerian citizen, rather than a democratic aspiration.
