The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, held an Afternoon of Tribute in honour a former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), which later transmuted into INEC, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.
The solemn occasion, which took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, was led by INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and attended by National Commissioners, former Senior INEC staff, members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), and Nwosu family members, including his wife and children, among others.
LEADERSHIP reports that Prof. Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu was the chairman of the National Electoral Commission from 1989 to 1993. He passed away five months ago in October, 2024.
According to INEC, Professor Nwosu’s tenure as chairman of NEC from 1989 to 1993 was pivotal in shaping Nigeria’s electoral processes, and his legacy had a lasting impact on the country’s democracy.
Emeka, one of Professor Humphrey Nwosu’s sons, expressed heartfelt gratitude after the tributes, thanking everyone for their kind words and support. In his response, he encouraged everyone present to continue working towards the success of the country, emphasising the importance of building on the legacy his father left behind. He urged all to unite in the shared goal of advancing Nigeria’s democracy and ensuring its growth, so that the ideals and values his father stood for could continue to shape the nation’s future.
Professor Humphrey Nwosu was the seventh chairman of the national election management body in Nigeria.
Earlier, paying tribute to late Prof. Nwosu, INEC chairman Prof. Yakubu bemoaned how the electoral body credited for organising the June 12, 1993 presidential election, adjudged as the freest and fairest, was excluded for commendation when the election was many years later formally acknowledged and the presumed winner recognised as President.
“Professor Nwosu did his best which was not always appreciated by many, including those who appointed him under an infinite transition from military rule to democracy which ended in the annulment of the presidential election held in 1993, resulting in the dissolution of the electoral commission and the emergence of an interim government. However, with the passage of time, the outcome of his effort is now widely appreciated. The election is now celebrated as one of the best in Nigeria. Even those who annulled it have expressed regret.
“A quarter of a century (25 years) later in June 2018, the presumed winner of the 1993 Presidential election, Chief M. K. O. Abiola, received the highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), posthumously. His running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, was conferred with the second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The date of the election (June 12th, 1993) has been gazetted as a national holiday and appropriately named as Democracy Day.
“Sadly, the electoral commission that conducted the election which was personified by Professor Nwosu received only a muffled commendation as if no one conducted the election. Surely, the election did not conduct itself. It was organised by a Commission made up of Commissioners and a Chairman. If it was an oversight that Professor Nwosu was not honoured in his lifetime, it is never late for the appropriate authority to do so posthumously.
“For us in INEC, we will continue to appreciate Professor Nwosu and the dedicated service he rendered to the nation. For the family, Professor Nwosu’s four years at the electoral commission must have been extremely challenging. With faith in God and knowing the caliber of person he was, you stood by him. We commend you and may God continue to give you the strength to bear the colossal loss.
“The Commission is grateful to the family for the honour to be part of this occasion. May God’s blessings continue to be with you as you conclude the remaining activities for a farewell well-deserved for Professor Nwosu,” Prof. Yakubu stated.
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