- AS SOUTH-EAST SENATORS CALL ON PRESIDENT TINUBU TO IMMORTALISE HIM
- “CHIEF HUMPHREY NWOSU’S ROLE IN SHAPING NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY CANNOT BE IGNORED” – SEN. IZUNASO
DAVID CHIEDOZIE NWAENYI
27/03/2025
The refusal of the Nigerian Senate to honour the late Chief Humphrey Nwosu, a renowned nationalist and the chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) that conducted the historic June 12, 1993 election which is adjudged to be the freest and fairest election in the history of Nigeria, has sparked strong reactions, especially from the South-East.
Leading the charge against this decision is Senator Osita Izunaso (representative of Imo West Senatorial District), a respected voice in the Red Chamber, who has openly rejected the Senate’s stance and is pushing for justice and recognition for the late national hero.
The rejection of prayers 1 & 2 on a motion sponsored by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe – to honour Chief Nwosu has raised questions about Nigeria’s will to remembering those who laid the foundation for the country’s growing democracy. It has also deepened concerns over the marginalization of the South-East in national recognitions and historical narratives.
Let us not forget that Chief Humphrey Nwosu, as the chairman of the defunct NEC (now INEC), was the man behind the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election. Despite pressure and threats to his life, he oversaw an electoral process that gave Nigeria hope for true democracy. Unfortunately, the election was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, and Nwosu was never fully acknowledged for his pivotal role in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari recognized June 12 as Democracy Day and honoured Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the election. However, Chief Humphrey Nwosu, the man who made that election possible, was left out. This oversight remains a sore point, especially for those who value Nigeria’s democratic struggles.
Following the Senate’s refusal to honour Chief Nwosu, Senator Osita Izunaso has strongly rejected the decision, describing it as a grave injustice to national history and democracy in Nigeria.
According to Izunaso, “Chief Humphrey Nwosu’s role in shaping Nigeria’s democracy cannot be ignored. If we can honour Abiola and others associated with June 12, why should we refuse to honour the man who conducted that election? We must give honour to whom it is due.”
Sen. Izunaso emphasized that the recognition of Chief Nwosu should not be a regional issue as some senators who spoke against it showed, but a national obligation because his contributions transcended ethnic lines and served the entire nation.
In response to the Senate’s rejection, South-East senators led by Sen. Abaribe have taken the matter to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to immortalize Chief Humphrey Nwosu just as his predecessor did for Chief MKO Abiola.
The senators argue that ignoring Chief Nwosu sends a wrong signal that some sacrifices for democracy are more important than others. They have therefore called on the President to Posthumously honour Chief Humphrey Nwosu with a national award for his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, name the INEC headquarters after him as a way of immortalizing his legacy – to ensure that his place in history is officially documented, just as MKO Abiola’s was.
According to Senator Izunaso, “the courage exhibited by the late Chief Nwosu in conducting a transparent election at a time of military dictatorship should serve as a lesson to modern-day electoral bodies on integrity and patriotism.”
Nigeria’s democracy stands on the sacrifices of many unsung heroes. Chief Humphrey Nwosu’s contributions deserve national recognition. Senator Osita Izunaso and his colleagues from the South East have set the stage for justice and fairness. Now, the ball is in President Bola Tinubu’s court. And whatever decision he takes will define how Nigeria values its democratic heroes – going forward.
