Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC,Prof Mahmood Yakubu has called for posthumous recognition of Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the commission who passed away in October 2024.
Prof Yakubu in a tribute in honour of Late Prof Humphrey Nwosu at a ceremony attended by members of his family at the INEC headquarters in Abuja said as chairman of NEC, from 1989 to 1993,he had the arduous task of managing elections in an extremely challenging context.
Prof Yakubu said the late Nwosu introduced many innovations in election management. In physical terms, he laid the foundation for the independence of the Commission by initiating the current three-layer structure for the commission with offices at national, state and local government levels. He also introduced a number of reforms to election management.
The INEC boss further remarked that Prof Nwosu’s tenure is synonymous with the Open Ballot System popularly referred to as Option A4 in which voters queued up behind the symbol of the party of their choice to vote and to be physically counted.
In his words, 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, resulting in the dissolution of the electoral commission and the emergence of an interim government.
“However, with the passage of time, the outcome of his effort is now widely appreciated. The election is now celebrated as one of the best in Nigeria. Even those who annulled it have expressed regret.
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
The INEC chairman called on 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.
Prof Yakubu assured the family that the commission will continue to appreciate Professor Nwosu and the dedicated service he rendered to the nation.
