Tempers flared in the Senate on Wednesday following a motion to honour the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), who supervised the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The controversy arose when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe proposed a motion under personal explanation to immortalise Nwosu for his contributions to democracy in Nigeria.
The motion faced strong resistance from some lawmakers, leading to heated exchanges on the Senate floor.
However, the motion was later suspended from all parliamentary considerations by the deputy Senate president, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session after most lawmakers vehemently opposed it.
Senator Abaribe, in his speech, described Nwosu as a courageous electoral umpire whose role in conducting what is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election should not be forgotten.
“Prof. Nwosu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy remain undeniable. Despite the challenges he faced, he conducted an election that remains a reference point in our electoral history. It is only right that this Senate recognizes his role and honours his memory,” Abaribe argued.
However, some senators opposed the motion, arguing that Nwosu did not fully announce the June 12 election results, which were later annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
“While we acknowledge Nwosu’s role, we cannot overlook the fact that he was unable to complete the process by officially declaring Chief MKO Abiola as the winner of the election,” a dissenting senator stated.
As tensions rose, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stepped in to calm the heated debate, urging lawmakers to approach the issue with a sense of national unity.
“We must handle this matter with sensitivity and respect for history. While opinions may differ, we should focus on strengthening our democratic institutions rather than revisiting past divisions,” Akpabio advised.
Following further deliberations, the Senate deferred a final decision on the motion, referring it to the appropriate committee for further review.
The debate over how best to honour Prof. Humphrey Nwosu will continue in the coming days, reflecting the deep political sensitivities surrounding the June 12 election and its impact on Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
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