'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a heartfelt tribute delivered at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja on March 24, 2024, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the current INEC Chairman, called for the posthumous recognition of Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the seventh Chairman of Nigeria's national electoral body, who passed away in October 2024.
Addressing the gathering, which included Nwosu's family members, friends, and colleagues, Professor Yakubu emphasized the significant contributions of the late professor to Nigeria's democratic process. He highlighted Nwosu's tenure from 1989 to 1993 as a period marked by innovative electoral reforms, notably the introduction of the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot System. These initiatives were instrumental in enhancing transparency and credibility in Nigerian elections.
Professor Yakubu remarked, "Professor Nwosu did his best which was not always appreciated by many, including those who appointed him under an infinite transition from military rule to democracy which ended in the annulment of the presidential election held in 1993." He further noted that, over time, the 1993 election conducted under Nwosu's leadership has come to be celebrated as one of Nigeria's most credible electoral exercises.
Despite the accolades accorded to the presumed winner of the 1993 election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who was posthumously awarded the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) in June 2018, Professor Nwosu's pivotal role has not been similarly honored. Yakubu pointed out, "The electoral commission that conducted the election which was personified by Professor Nwosu received only a muffled commendation as if no one conducted the election."
In light of this oversight, Professor Yakubu advocated for the appropriate authorities to confer a posthumous national honor on Professor Nwosu, asserting that it is never too late to recognize his invaluable service to the nation.
This call aligns with earlier appeals from prominent figures, such as Chief Chekwas Okorie, founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who, in February 2025, urged the federal government to name the INEC headquarters after Professor Nwosu as a tribute to his legacy in advancing Nigeria's electoral system.
Professor Nwosu's family has announced that his burial will take place on March 28, 2025, in his hometown of Ajalli, Anambra State.
The recognition and honoring of Professor Nwosu's contributions are seen by many as a crucial step in acknowledging the efforts of individuals who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of democratic excellence in Nigeria.
