A motion seeking to name the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu was rejected by the Senate yesterday.
Prof. Nwosu, former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), oversaw the historic 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola, which was later annulled by the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
The motion, titled “Motion to Immortalise Prof. Humphrey Nwosu,” was sponsored by Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia South) and supported by all Southeast senators, along with Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, Senator Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta North), and Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi Central), among others.
Abaribe urged the Senate to honor Nwosu posthumously by naming the INEC headquarters after him and bestowing a national award in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s electoral process. He also proposed a minute of silence in his honor, given that his burial was scheduled for the following day.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, put the motion to a voice vote, but it was met with overwhelming rejection. The only part of the motion observed was the minute of silence for Nwosu.
During the debate, Abaribe emphasized that Nwosu’s role in conducting the 1993 election laid the foundation for June 12 becoming Nigeria’s official Democracy Day. He described Nwosu’s leadership as crucial in shaping the modern INEC.
However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North) opposed the motion, arguing that Nwosu failed at a critical moment by not officially announcing the election results. “His courage failed him when it mattered most,” Oshiomhole said.
Senator Osita Izunaso (APC-Imo) countered, stating that Nwosu was a hero in the eyes of many Nigerians. “For us to sit here and distort history is not fair to our democracy,” he added.
Senator Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun) expressed reservations, arguing that conducting an election was different from announcing results. “Yes, he conducted the election. Yes, he released the results. But announcing them is what defines the integrity of the process, and he failed at that moment,” Adeola said.
Deputy Senate President Barau commended the senators for the manner in which the debate was conducted, saying, “You all made your points clearly, without rancor, as it should be in an institution like the Senate.”
Following the rejection, Senator Abaribe expressed the disappointment of the Southeast Caucus. “We had three prayers: to name the INEC headquarters after Nwosu, to honor him with a national award, and to recognize his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. All were rejected,” he said.
He, however, remained hopeful, stating, “It may be delayed, but it will not be denied.” He also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take executive action to honor Nwosu.
Senator Ned Nwoko joined his Southeast colleagues in addressing the press.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide also condemned the Senate’s decision, calling it “laughable” and “unfortunate.” The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, stated, “It is ironic that Nigeria celebrates June 12 without recognizing the man who orchestrated that historic election.”
Ohanaeze urged President Tinubu to ensure Nwosu receives the honor he deserves “for the sake of justice.”
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