On June 11, 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari designated June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election.
Reveling in the declaration, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the erstwhile Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), commended Buhari for the laudable gesture.
“Indeed, June 12, 1993, marked a turning point in Nigeria’s tortuous journey towards a democratic polity.
“Undoubtedly, the democratic system of governance is the best, especially for a multi-ethnic nation like ours.
“It is our hope that expanding the frontiers of democracy will provide economic, social and developmental benefits that will certainly make Nigeria a great nation not only in Africa but across the world,” Nwosu enthused.
Stakeholders have argued that in the annals of Nigeria’s political history, Nwosu prominently played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Nwosu, a professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, became the seventh NEC Chairman, where he demonstrated unwavering commitment to democratic principles, especially at a time when Nigeria was transitioning from military rule to democracy.
His tenure from 1989 to 1993 was marked by innovative electoral reforms, culminating in the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Though the election was annulled by the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime, it is still widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigerian history.
Unfortunately, Nwosu and his team who conducted the much-celebrated election were neither recognised nor rewarded for the daunting national assignment.
For the benefit of hindsight, members of the commission (national commissioners) included Prof. Adele Jinadu, Mr Sumner Dagogo-Jack, Chief Y. F. Opeyemi, Mrs Eno Irukwu, Dr A. Kiyawa, Amb. Ahmed El-Gazali, Alhaji Hydar Aliyu and Mr Mike Gbasha.
Alhaji Aliyu Umar was Secretary of the commission.
Nwosu, who died in Virginia, U.S., on Oct. 20, 2024, at the age of 83, remained a relatively unsung hero for much of his life.
President Bola Tinubu in his tributes to Nwosu described him as “a patriot and national asset who played a significant role in shaping the democracy that Nigeria enjoys today’’.
Tinubu affirmed that the greatest honour to champions of democracy like Nwosu was to ensure that elections in the country remained credible, transparent and democratic, reflecting the people’s right to choose their leaders and shape their future.
As part of recognition of Nwosu contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on March 24, organised an afternoon of tributes in honour of his contributions to Nigeria electoral and democratic system.
In his submission, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that the commission would continue to appreciate Nwosu and the dedicated service he rendered to Nigeria.
Yakubu acknowledged Nwosu’s introduction of many innovations in election management.
“In physical terms, he laid the foundation for the independence of the commission by initiating the current three-layer structure for the commission with offices at national, state and local government levels.
“He also introduced a number of reforms to election management; his tenure is synonymous with the Open Ballot System popularly referred to as Option A4 in which voters queued up behind the symbol of the party of their choice to vote and to be physically counted.’’
Yakubu said while Nwosu did his best, it was not appreciated by many, including those who appointed him.
He recalled that in June 2018, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Abiola, received the highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), posthumously.
He also recalled that Babagana Kingibe, was conferred with the second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Yakubu added that while the date of the election (June 12, 1993) had been gazetted as a national holiday and appropriately named as Democracy Day but Nwosu and the commission that conducted the election were not remembered.
“Sadly, the electoral commission that conducted the election which was personified by 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 Nwosu was not honoured in his lifetime; it is never late for the appropriate authority to do so posthumously,’’ he said.
In his tribute, INEC’s retired Deputy Director, Dr Chukwuemeka Ugboaja, described Nwosu as a hero of democracy that was never celebrated.
He said that it was unfortunate that the June 12 election was annulled, but 32 years after, Nwosu and his commission had been vindicated.
“Unfortunately, the hen that laid the golden egg was not celebrated, but rather the golden egg was celebrated,’’ Ugboaja said.
Ugboaja said apart from introducing notable reforms to Nigeria electoral process, Nwosu’s welfare policies for staff members were top notch.
He urged the Federal Government to give late Nwosu posthumous award, including naming edifice at INEC headquarters “Prof. Humphrey Nwosu House.’’
Prof. Tonnie Iredia, a pioneer Director, Public Affairs at INEC, in his pre-recorded tributes, also urged Tinubu to imortalise Nwosu.
Iredia, who served under Nwosu, said he expected one of the national monuments to be named after Nwosu, because he did what nobody had done before.
He recalled that the then president, Babangida, promised Nwosu that all NEC principal operatives were going to get national honours if the election was well conducted.
“I think what Tinubu should do is to recognise Prof. Nwosu; if not all the rest of us, recognise the leadership of that team that did that wonderful job,’’ he said.
Another retired Deputy Director, Admin, Mr Ademola Johnson, said that the name of Nwosu eminently deserved to be etched in gold in the annals of election management in Nigeria.
Mr Victor Ayodele Aluko, also a retired Director, Voter Education and Publicity, said that Nwosu tried his best and almost succeeded in restoring election credibility in Nigeria, but was sabotaged at the last minute by persons who were supposed to do the needful.
He said that politicians had continued to sabotage INEC’s efforts to improve on the electoral process but continue to blame the process.
“Sometimes, I sit down, and I wonder when politicians will stop sabotaging the work of the electoral commission,’’ Aluko said.
Pastor Regina Omo-Agege, a retired Director in INEC, said that the best tribute that could be paid to Nwosu was to continue to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, ensuring that every vote counted and that the voice of the people was never silenced.
National Chairman, Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, described Nwosu as a man of integrity, a courageous citizen and a star in Nigeria’s political horizon.
“Nwosu’s audacity of courage was an eloquent testimony of the Nigerian spirit that prioritises national interest, no matter whose ox was gored,’’ he said.
Dantalle urged the current INEC leadership to continue to consolidate and advance the country’s electoral process.
Speaking on behalf of Nwosu family, Mr Nnemeka Nwosu commended INEC and its chairman for honouring his late father.
He described INEC as an institution with a difficult and thankless job.
Nwosu urged every Nigeria to strive for a better Nigeria, a better democracy and give the young ones something to look forward to.
“My late father was always rooting for INEC and Nigeria to succeed.
“As Nigerians, we should think of ourselves as Nigerians first and make this country great; that is how to really carry on the legacy of my father,’’ he said.
Regrettably, few days later, a motion to name INEC headquarters after late Nwosu on March 27 suffered set back in the Senate.
This followed the Senate’s consideration of the motion titled, “Motion to Immortalise Prof. Humphrey Nwosu”, sponsored by Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia) during the Thursday plenary.
According to Abaribe the motion was supported by all the senators from South-East as well as the Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro, Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta ) and Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi), among others.
Meanwhile, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun), in his contribution said that Nwosu failed at the critical moment when he was supposed to save Nigeria’s democracy.
Adebola said that three stages were involved in electoral process-conducting elections, releasing results, and announcing results.
“Yes, Nwosu conducted the election; yes, Nwosu released the result; but you and I know, releasing results is not the same thing as announcing results,’’ Adeola said.
When the motion was put to a voice vote by Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, it was, however, greeted with a resounding ‘Nay’ by some of the senators.
The only prayer that was observed was a minute silence in honour of the Nwosu.
Though Nwosu was had been laid to rest on March 28, at his residence, Ogbili Otti Palace, Ajalli, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, demand for his posthumous recognition still continued.
Mr Collins Ugwu, the Convener, Coalition for the Immortalisation of Nwosu, urged Tinubu to immortalise or confer a posthumous honour on Nwosu.
Ugwu, the Executive Director, Citizens Network for Stability and Justice, urged the Federal Government to either honour Nwosu with GCON, CFR, or name INEC headquarters or a prominent road after him.
Political pundits hold that Nwosu’s legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of recognising people who have demonstrated integrity, innovation and courage in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society. (NANFeatures)
