Ohanaeze, others mourn as Humphrey Nwosu dies at 83

By Cajetan Mmuta

Former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from 1989 to 1993, Humphrey Nwosu, has been confirmed dead.

Born on October 2, 1941, Nwosu breathed his last in a Virginia hospital in the United States.
As the chief electoral officer, Nwosu conducted the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.

The election saw Chief Moshood Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) emerging victorious, defeating Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Nwosu released many of the election results, despite being ordered to stop by the Ibrahim Babangida military regime.

The election was later annulled.

Meanwhile, apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide, has mourned the death of  former National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Prof Humphrey Nwosu.

It lamented that Nwosu passed away without being celebrated by the country despite his contributions towards the institution of the existing electoral system.

Acting National President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene in an interview with newsmen yesterday frowned that while the acclaimed winner the June 12 general election Chief MKO Abiola is being remembered and immortalised, Nwosu was never honoured by anybody.

He said, “Until death no one and indeed the federal government failed to recognize this man despite the fact that he put his life on the line to same the country’s democracy.”

According to him, “The late Humphrey Nwosu is my brother and we belong to the same Orumba North local government area of Anambra state and as a matter of fact my Kinsman but it is sad that the successive administrations in the country never said anything about him and not even naming a federal institution after him.”

He said that, “There are some people in his shoes as it were who would have compromised but he stood his ground and ensured that the electoral wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian masses and voters are actualised.”

Ogene also contended that the abandonment of late Humphrey Nwosu until his death is yet an indication of the fact that the NIgerian Civil War has not ended adding that had it been Nwosu is from another tribe he would have been celebrated.

He stated that a National Institute for Political Studies should be established and named after him in remembrance of his great contributions to shaping the democracy and politics of the country.

“The late Humphrey Nwosu should have a National Institute for Political Studies named after him and also a yearly lecture series should be organized in his name “ he added.

Also, former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu’s campaign, Josef Onoh, has called on the Federal Government to immortalise the late Nwosu.

Onoh lauded Nwosu’s unwavering patriotism and dedication to Nigeria’s unity, highlighting his crucial role in overseeing what is widely regarded as the country’s freest and fairest election.

Despite intense pressure from the then military regime to halt the announcement of the results, Nwosu remained resolute, declaring MKO Abiola the winner of the election.

“Without Nwosu’s resilience and commitment, the history of June 12 democracy celebration would not have been made,” Onoh said. He praised Nwosu for transcending ethnic divides, particularly at a time when Nigeria faces growing political tensions fueled by ethnic sentiments.

He added, “Humphrey Nwosu’s life and actions exemplified the possibility of a united Nigeria. His courage, even in the face of life-threatening opposition, allowed the world to see a Nigeria capable of upholding truth over ethnic divisions.”

Onoh urged the Federal Government to immortalise Nwosu, emphasising that his contribution to the making of June 12 and democracy in Nigeria is invaluable.
He concluded by noting that Nwosu’s courage should inspire Nigerians to work towards a unified and progressive nation.

“Nwosu stood by the truth and showed that we should not play ethnicity in politics,” Onoh eulogised.