The South East Caucus of the Senate staged a protest on Thursday following the rejection of a motion to immortalize the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The lawmakers have now appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take executive action in honoring Nwosu.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Chairman of the South East Caucus, had presented the motion seeking to name the national headquarters of INEC after Nwosu in recognition of his role in conducting the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. The motion, co-sponsored by 15 other Senators, also called for a posthumous national honor for Nwosu.
However, the motion faced strong opposition from several Senators, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), who argued that Nwosu did not deserve to be immortalized due to his inability to announce the election results in 1993.
“Professor Humphrey Nwosu, as NEC Chairman in 1993, failed to deliver on the June 12 election for lack of courage. He who is not ready to die for something will die for nothing,” Oshiomhole said.
Other Senators, including Jimoh Ibrahim, Olamilekan Adeola, Titus Zam, Cyril Fasuyi, Shuaib Afolabi, and Sunday Karimi, also opposed the motion, which was ultimately rejected by a voice vote presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
In response, the South East Caucus, led by Senator Abaribe, walked out of the chamber in protest and addressed the press, expressed their disappointment.
“We are not happy with the rejection of this motion. We had three prayers: first, to name the INEC headquarters after Professor Humphrey Nwosu, second, to give him a posthumous national honor, and third, to recognize his contributions to Nigeria’s electoral system. All were rejected,” Abaribe said.
Despite the setback, Abaribe vowed that the recognition of Nwosu’s contributions was inevitable.
“It may be delayed, but it will not be denied. We are appealing directly to President Bola Tinubu to take the necessary steps to immortalize Professor Nwosu,” he added.
The protest was supported by all Senators from the South East geopolitical zone, with Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) also joining the briefing.
