South-East Senators on Thursday appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immortalise the late Professor Humphery Nwosu, by naming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after him.
They also urged the President to posthumously honor the late Chairman of the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic dispensation.
The caucus described the Late Prof. Nwosu as a hero, having conducted the adjudged freest and fairest election in Nigeria.
The caucus made the call at a news conference in Abuja, shortly after two prayers on a motion to honour the late Chairman of the then NEC did not scale through at Senate plenary.
Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said:
“We had three prayers on a motion to immortalise Prof Humphrey Nwosu.
“The first prayer was for the Senate to recommend to the executive the fact that Prof Humphrey Nwosu was the person who actually laid the foundation of the present INEC headquarters and commenced the building before the commission was dissolved by the military in 1993.
“We felt that we should recommend that the executive name the INEC building after him. This is also in consonance with what Prof. Attahiru Jega, a former INEC Chairman, said on Tuesday at the colloquium for Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.
“Prof. Jega said that he was surprised that up to this moment, Humphrey Nwosu has not been recognised or honored by the government of Nigeria, who today have benefited from his plans and legacies in conducting the 1993 freest and fairest election”.
He, however, said the prayer to name INEC headquarters after Nwosu was not adopted.
According to Senator Abaribe, the caucus also had as a prayer that the senate recommend that the Federal Government honor Nwosu, by giving him a national posthumous honor. He noted that the prayer was also rejected.
Senator Abaribe said the third prayer was for Nwosu to be honored by the Senate by observing a minute silence. This he said was adopted.
Senator Abaribe said despite the non adoption of the two prayers, the caucus would not be deterred.
“We are not deterred, the reason is simple, It may be delayed, but it will not be denied.
“Prof. Humphrey Nwosu was the person who laid the foundations that we are all enjoying today and as far as we are concerned, we think that even if this government does not honor him, one government in future will honor him”.
Senator Abaribe said Nwosu, against all odds made sure that election was conducted in 1993.
“If that election was not conducted, you wouldn’t be talking of results and there would be no June 12th, as far as we are concerned. Prof. Nwosu deserves this honor, he is our hero.
“I appeal to the government of President Bola Tinubu to honour the man who made sure that election was held.
“He ensured that it was done. Testified that it was done and put elections in the consciousness of Nigerians because that election was what led to subsequent elections”.
Fearless NEC Commissioner
A member of the caucus, Senator Osita Izunaso also gave reasons why Prof. Nwosu should be immortalized by the Nigerian government.
He said “We are all aware that Justice Bassey Ikpeme, said that there should be no election.
“By 9.30 in the morning on June 10th, Prof Humphrey Nwosu audaciously, without invitation, went to the National Defense and Security Council Meeting and insisted and convinced them that the election process had commenced.
“That was why President Ibrahim Babangida allowed him to conduct the election.
“And if anybody is saying that he did not announce the result, the person is lying because the results were announced.
“In fact, they have announced 29 states, It was remaining only Taraba State, when they ordered him to come to the Aso Rock.
“I want to tell you, he was even arrested, but he still ordered that Taraba be announced, so at what point will Humphrey Nwosu have announced that result? Is it at the assault moments when they detained him?
“But the truth of the matter is that the senate resolution is advisory. It is not even compelling. So we are urging President Tinubu to do the right thing by immortalising Prof. Humphrey Nwosu” Senator Izunaso said
The late Professor Humphrey Nwosu
Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who served as Chairman of the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) from 1989 to 1993, died in a hospital in Virginia, USA last year at the age of 83.
He was appointed by the then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, and oversaw the June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.
In that presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) triumphed over Bashir Tofa of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).
Prof. Nwosu’s commission introduced the innovative Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system.
Despite releasing many election results, Prof. Nwosu was ordered to halt further announcements of the June 12 election by the Babangida regime.
In July 2024, the House of Representatives urged President Bola Tinubu to honour Prof. Nwosu for his role in conducting what is considered the most credible election in Nigeria’s post-independence history.
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