Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has warned that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, attacks on free speech, and growing poverty could undermine the credibility of future elections if urgent measures are not taken.
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Falana spoke at the inaugural Annual Memorial Lecture held in Abuja on Tuesday, in honour of the late former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), Professor Humphrey Nwosu, whose role in the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election remains a defining chapter in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The lecture was organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Professor Humphrey Nwosu Center for Democracy and Human Rights with the theme, “Electoral integrity and the future of credible elections in Nigeria”.
Describing Nwosu as “an accomplished intellectual, a man of extraordinary moral integrity, audacity and uncommon patriotism,” Falana recounted events leading to the annulment of the June 12 election, praising the late electoral umpire for resisting pressure from the military regime of former military president Ibrahim Babangida.
According to Falana, many democracy activists had become convinced by April 1993 that Babangida was unwilling to relinquish power through a democratic process.
“We knew General Babangida was not committed to having an election. He simply wanted to transform from a military dictator to a civilian president,” Falana said and added that, despite mounting pressure from military authorities, Nwosu remained determined to conduct the election.
Falana also reflected on his arrest and detention following the annulment of the June 12 election, saying that, “If you make any statement against a governor, the president, or any powerful individual today, you can be charged under the Cybercrimes Act. Our right to free speech is gradually being taken away”.
Turning to contemporary challenges facing the country, Falana expressed concern over widespread kidnappings, terrorism, and insecurity across the country, arguing that credible elections cannot be conducted under such conditions.
“As we are gathered here today, many school children and teachers remain in the custody of criminals. Can we go into elections under these circumstances? Nobody is safe any longer,” he said and called on security agencies to intensify efforts against kidnappers and terrorists.
The senior lawyer urged citizens to hold elected officials accountable and demand transparency in the management of public funds at federal, state and local government levels, urging Nigerians to look beyond ethnic and religious considerations during elections and instead evaluate candidates based on their performance and commitment to addressing critical national challenges.
Also speaking at the event, retired Supreme Court Justice, Abdul Aboki, who chaired the occasion, described Nwosu as a symbol of principled leadership whose contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development remain relevant today.
“We gather not only to remember him but to affirm the values he championed — integrity, courage, fairness and an unwavering commitment to the democratic rights of Nigerians,” Aboki said.
He noted that electoral integrity remains central to the country’s democratic future, stressing that credible elections are not merely technical exercises but fundamental human rights issues.
“It is about the right of every citizen to choose leaders freely without fear, coercion or manipulation. It is about strengthening institutions, enforcing the rule of law and building public trust,” he said.
He urged citizens, political parties, security agencies, the media and civil society organisations to work collectively to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. “Let us work towards a Nigeria where elections are not a source of tension but a celebration of the people’s will,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN said the Prof Humphrey Nwosu foundation is established to preserve and advance his democratic legacy of laying the foundation for Nigeria’s modern democracy.
The event, he said is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by courageous Nigerians, the NEC, the Abiola’s, the NADECO’s, the CSOs in the struggle for democracy, constitutional governance, electoral justice and the protection of the fundamental human rights to participate in free and fair elections as conducted by late Professor Humphrey Nwosu in 1993.
He said, “Credible elections, the rule of law, civic participation, freedom of expression, equality and accountable governance are fundamental pillars of a democratic society where human rights can flourish”.
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