The Late Professor of Political Science Humphrey Nwosu is man who divides opinion over his roles in the ill-fated transition of Nigeria former military dictator General Ibrahim Babangida which culminated in the annulment of June 12, 1993, Presidential elections.
HUMPHREY NWOSU , JUNE 12 : HERO OR VILLAIN
- Should Humphrey Nwosu , Be Portray As a Hero OR Villain In June 12,1993 Election.
- Majority of the Senators believes Humphrey Nwosu does not deserve the honor.
Nwosu should have announced the June 12,1993 Election result But he chose not too.
Following the death of Professor Nwosu and before his burial last Friday March 28, 2025 in his hometown in Anambra State there was a call to immortalize him and honour his memory in appreciation of his contribution to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
This call was led by Senator Enyinaya Abaribe and supported by all Senators from the South East of Nigeria irrespective of political parties affiliations, unfortunately this call was rejected by the Senate.
In rejecting the call, the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele pointed to non-adherence to Senate Standing order by the sponsor of the motion while some senators outrightly said Professor Nwosu is not worthy or deserving of such an honour as been canvassed by the South East caucus.
Furthermore, it is instructive to note that the only non Igbo senator that supported the South East caucus is Senator Yahya Abdullahi Argungu from Kebbi State who was a player in the 1993 elections. To put things in right perspective, it is important to consider the role and context in which Nwosu operated in 1993.
After years of navigating, dribbling everyone and changing goal posts General Babangida also known as IBB decided to give the go ahead for the conduct of the Presidential elections on June 12,1993. On June 10 with less than 48 hours to the elections, a shadowy group led by Late Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe secured a curious court judgement stopping the elections from Late Justice Bassey Ikpeme even though there was an ouster clause that prevented courts from stopping elections then. After the judgement and without being invited to the meeting Professor Nwosu showed up at the National Defence and Security Council meeting where he maintained his stance that he will conduct the elections to the annoyance of Late General Sanni Abacha.
However, Nwosu went ahead to conduct the elections and had declared results of 29 states out of 30 then. On June 24, IBB annulled the election and dissolved the National Electoral Commisssion thereafter to prevent Professor Nwosu and then NEC Legal Secretary Mallam Buhari Bello from approaching the courts.
Many top members of the then SDP like Abiola’s running mate Baba Gana Kingibe have been honoured with national honour like GCON, Nzeribe later became a Senator and Brigadier General David Mark (rtd) served as Senate President for 8 years and later got GCON title.
In February many of the so-called defenders of democracy all lined up at Transcorp Hotel in Abuja to celebrate an enemy of democracy like IBB. Professor Nwosu revolutionized electoral process in Nigeria by introducing the Modified Open Ballot System which we are still using till date in Nigeria. In 1993, Professor Humphrey Nwosu job was to conduct a free and fair elections and he did that, he cannot be made to pay the price of others.
Nwosu is an hero and not a villain who deserves national honour as might be deemed fit by the executive and good enough President Tinubu have openly acknowledged his contributions to the advancement of democracy in Nigeria as a whole.
