Ex-electoral commission chair, Nwosu, dies at 83

Professor Humphrey Nwosu, a former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), has passed away at the age of 83.

Nwosu, who oversaw the historic June 12, 1993, election-widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest-died in a hospital in Virginia, the USA, on Thursday.

Born on October 2, 1941, in the Ajali community of Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nwosu served as chairman of NEC, now Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from 1989 to 1993.

The 1993 election, which saw Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) defeat Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC), was annulled by then-President Ibrahim Babangida, sparking political instability and extending military rule until the country’s return to democracy in 1999.

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Nwosu died uncelebrated – Ohaneze Ndigbo

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has expressed sorrow over the death of Nwosu, lamenting that despite his pivotal role in Nigeria’s democratic history, he passed away without receiving due recognition from the country.

Acting National President of Ohaneze, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene, in a statement, criticised successive Nigerian governments for failing to honour Nwosu, particularly as the June 12 election winner, MKO Abiola, had been immortalised.

Ogene proposed the establishment of a National Institute for Political Studies to be named in Nwosu’s honour, recognising his contributions to Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy.