The South-East Caucus in the Senate has called on President Bola Tinubu to immortalise Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of now dwfunt National Electoral Commission (NEC), who recently passed away.
The call followed the Senate’s rejection of a motion to immortalise Nwosu by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) during plenary on Thursday.
The motion, which divided the Senate, had some senators strongly supporting, viewing Nwosu as a hero, while others vehemently opposed it, arguing that he lacked the courage to announce the results of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, declare a winner, and face the consequences.
Senators Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), Titus Zam Benue (North West), Solomon Olamilekan(Ogun West), and Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) argued that, despite Nwosu’s efforts, he failed to deliver the desired outcome to deserve a national honour.
On the other hand, Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Tony Nwoye Anambara (East West), Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South), Ezenwa Onyewuchi (Imo East) and Alwell Onyesoh (River East) contended that Nwosu was a hero who did his best under the challenging conditions of a military regime.
Speaking to journalists after the Senate vote, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe stated, “We came here just to make a brief statement after the vote on our motion to immortalise Professor Humphrey Nwosu.”
His motion, co-sponsored by all South-East senators and a few others outside the region, had three key prayers including: “Naming the INEC headquarters after Nwosu, given that he laid the foundation for the current structure before NEC was dissolved in 1993.
“Posthumously awarding Nwosu a national honour for his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution
“Observing a one-minute silence in his honour, which the Senate granted.”
Abaribe recalled that former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, had expressed surprise during a recent colloquium that Nwosu had yet to be recognised or honoured by the Nigerian government, despite conducting the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history.
“Don’t forget that the annulment of that election led to unrest across Nigeria, ultimately forcing the military to exit power in 1999,” Abaribe noted.
Despite the Senate’s rejection, the South-East Caucus insists that President Tinubu should do the right thing by immortalising Prof Nwosu.
The caucus believes that Tinubu, a strong advocate of June 12, will recognise Nwosu’s contributions and grant him the honour he deserves.
“We are not deterred. It may be delayed, but it will not be denied. Professor Humphrey Nwosu laid the foundation for the democratic system we enjoy today. Even if this government refuses to honour him, a future government will,” Abaribe declared.
He likened the situation to the delayed recognition of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and June 12, which were eventually acknowledged by a later administration.
Abaribe emphasised that Nwosu defied a court order issued by Justice Bassey Ikpeme to stop the election, ensuring the process continued despite pressure from the military government.
“If there was no election, there would have been no June 12. People forget that Nwosu had already announced 29 out of 30 states’ results before he was arrested. Even while in detention at Aso Rock, he still ordered the announcement of Taraba State’s results,” he added.
The late Prof Nwosu, who passed away in October 2024, will be laid to rest in his home state, Anambra on Friday.
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