The Federal Government has been urged to acknowledge and honour the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), who played a pivotal role in conducting Nigeria’s most credible election on June 12, 1993.
Retired Archbishop of Enugu Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, made the call in Enugu yesterday, stressing that Nwosu, who passed away on October 24, 2024, was never given due national recognition for his service to the nation. He is set to be buried on March 28.
Chukwuma also demanded the prosecution of former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), following his recent confession about the annulment of the June 12 election.
The cleric described Babangida’s admission as an insult to Nigerians and called for accountability.
“Now, Humphrey Nwosu is dead, and it has been acknowledged that he conducted Nigeria’s most credible election, yet no national honour was given to him. Kingibe was honoured, Abiola was honoured, but the man who conducted the election was ignored. Nigeria has been unfair to Humphrey Nwosu,” Chukwuma lamented.
He urged the federal government to posthumously honour Nwosu and name a national monument after him.
He also insisted that the government should actively participate in his burial to show appreciation for his contributions to Nigerian democracy.
On Babangida’s recent confession, Chukwuma rejected the former leader’s justification for annulling the election, calling it deceitful.
“All that Babangida said in his book, regretting or confessing that MKO Abiola won the June 12 election, is absolute rubbish! It is a great disappointment and an insult to Nigerians,” the Archbishop said.
He further criticized Babangida’s claim that the annulment was for Nigeria’s benefit, arguing that it was a decision that plunged the country into years of political instability and suffering.
“Nigerians are suffering today because of bad leadership, and we still cannot conduct a credible election. Babangida’s confession comes too late—after the deaths of Abiola and Nwosu. He must apologize to their families and to the Nigerian people.”
Chukwuma called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to recognize Nwosu’s legacy and his contributions to democracy, warning that failing to do so would suggest that the government is also complicit in undermining credible elections.