Victor EzejaA group known as the Coalition for the Immortalisation of Prof. Humphrey Nwosu has called on the Nigerian Government to immortalise the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for his heroic conduct during the historic June 12 1993 presidential election which he superintended.
The election conducted under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida in which MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was the widely acclaimed winner, has been considered the most free and fair election in the country.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe group expressed dissatisfaction that Prof. Nwosu, who was reputed to have conducted the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s political history, has not been deservedly immortalised by the past and present leaders of the country.
They called on President Bola Tinubu to confer a posthumous award of national honours (Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, GCON, or Commander of the Federal Republic CFR) on Prof. Nwosu for his selflessness, courage and steadfastness in conducting the election which the outcome has remained a watershed in Nigeria’s history.
The coalition led by Mr. Collins Steve Ugwu, and other leaders, including Mazi Chris O Maduka and Chief Everest Ozonweke, made the call during a world press conference on Tuesday.
Prof. Nwosu, who was the NEC chairman from 1989 to 1993, died in October 2024 at the age of 83. He would have clocked 84 in October 2025. The late political science scholar who hails from Ajali in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, will be buried on 28 March 2025.
READ ALSO: The Unsung Hero Of June 12: Professor Humphrey Nwosu vs MKO Abiola
Justifying why Nwosu should be immortalised, the coalition in a statement signed by Mr. Collins Steve Ugwu said: “We are therefore convinced and persuaded that a man of his untainted eminence, fearless courage and unmatched performance, in the unbeaten national assignment he did for this country, deserve a solemn re-tell of his immense delicate sacrifices, toils and labour, to make Nigeria better, through transparent and credible elections.”
The group added that “he had the most profound integrity mark, never doubted in general acceptability, and never surpassed till date.”
“For a summary recap, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu was the National Electoral Commission Chairman for Nigeria who superintended the complex & endless political transitions from Military to Civilian administration, under the then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, who ruled this country from August 1985 and stepped aside in August 1993. That election was the best election the Military ever conducted in this country by every standard, local and international, with a unanimity of public and citizenship acceptance unrivaled till date.
“He came to the difficult challenge very prepared, possibly underestimated, but succeeded hugely to post a near miracle results of competence, strategy and innovation, that has since become our elections management watershed. This was because Humphrey Nwosu simply got it right, and STOOD BY IT.”
The group also stated that the Option A4 system of balloting which he designed, has “remained our best and simplest democracy design 32 years after it was birthed,” but unfortunately abandoned.
Among other demands by the group for the immortalisation of Nwosu are that a national monument be erected and named after him, for example at the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters, Abuja, “to truly show that there was once a great Nigerian that served independently there, with exemplary courage, purpose and fortitude.”
“To name a prominent road or National Freedom Park after him in the Federal Capital City.
“To intentionally and deliberately associate his name and essence with the National celebrations of June 12 as Democracy Day in this country, in order to effectively cement it as a wholesome and inclusive act of value and cohesion. If you continue to cut and celebrate a special cake of history, without a proper mention of the designer, it will continue to be a celebration denied a soul and purity.
“Nigeria under this President should lift her gaze beyond this depressive anomaly, and cast a better net of elegance on June 12.”
The group also called on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to give the late Prof. Nwosu, who was his colleague at the same faculty in the University of Nigeria Nsukka, a deserved honour in line with his conviction about him.
In conclusion, the coalition stated that Prof Nwosu clearly represented what a credible electoral umpire was and should aspire to be as he demonstrated transparency and integrity.
“Please, let us put virtue back to the violence INEC has become since his exit, by returning honour to a man that deposited and warehoused chastity in that house. We can, and should no longer be ease as violators devour and ravage a sacred institutional democratic heritage that NEC was under Prof Humphrey Nwosu. We believe it is spiritual and human to right a wrong and make a crooked way straight by simple atonement and inclusion.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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