Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, a former Chairman of the National Election Commission—now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission—has passed away at the age of 83. Born on October 2, 1941, Nwosu died in a Virginia hospital in the United States.
Nwosu was appointed by Nigeria’s military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, and was at the helm during the pivotal June 12, 1993 election, which is widely acknowledged as Nigeria’s freest and fairest. He led the NEC from 1989 until 1993 and hailed from the Ajali community in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
While no official statement has been released by his family, a source confirmed, “Yes, Prof. died yesterday morning in a hospital in Virginia, USA, after a brief illness. The family will soon issue a statement on it.”
Under his leadership, the June 12, 1993 election saw Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party emerge victorious over Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. However, the subsequent annulment of that election plunged Nigeria into political chaos, resulting in years of military rule until the country returned to democracy in 1999.
In response to Nwosu’s passing, the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, expressed sorrow that he died without receiving due recognition for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s electoral system. Chief Damian Ogene, the acting National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, lamented that while the late MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12 election, is remembered and celebrated, Nwosu has not received similar honors.
“Until his death, no one, including the federal government, acknowledged this man, despite the fact that he risked his life to protect our democracy,” Ogene remarked. “Late Humphrey Nwosu was my brother and my kinsman from Orumba North in Anambra State. It’s unfortunate that successive administrations have overlooked him, not even naming a federal institution after him.”
He emphasized Nwosu’s integrity, stating, “There are others who might have compromised their principles in similar positions, but he remained steadfast, ensuring that the electoral wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people were honored.”
Ogene further commented on the broader implications of Nwosu’s neglect, suggesting that it reflects ongoing divisions within Nigeria. “The disregard for late Humphrey Nwosu until his death highlights that the wounds from the Nigerian civil war are still unhealed. If Nwosu had belonged to a different tribe, he would have been celebrated.”
He proposed the establishment of a National Institute for Political Studies in Nwosu’s honor, advocating for a yearly lecture series to examine his contributions to the shaping of Nigeria’s democracy. “Prof. Nwosu deserves to have a National Institute for Political Studies named after him, along with an annual lecture series in his name,” he stated.
Earlier in June, the House of Representatives called on the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to honor Nwosu for his vital role in conducting the June 12 election, which is regarded as the most credible electoral process in Nigeria’s post-independence history.
