Nigeria is mourning the loss of Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Nwosu, who oversaw the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, passed away at the age of 83.
He died in a hospital in Virginia, USA, on October 2024.
Nwosu’s death marks the end of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s political history, as he played a crucial role in organizing what is widely considered the freest and fairest election in the country’s post-independence history.
A Life of Service to Nigeria
Born on October 2, 1941, Professor Nwosu was a respected academic and public servant.
He served as the Chairman of NEC from 1989 to 1993, a period that saw Nigeria grappling with military rule and a desperate yearning for democracy.
Nwosu was appointed by General Ibrahim Babangida, the military ruler at the time, and was tasked with conducting elections that would usher in civilian governance.
Despite the difficult political environment, Nwosu introduced several innovations aimed at improving the transparency of the electoral process.
One of his most significant contributions was the introduction of the Option A4 voting system, which was designed to minimize electoral fraud.
This system involved voters queuing openly behind the candidate of their choice, allowing for a more transparent counting process.
In addition to Option A4, Nwosu also implemented the Open Ballot system, another measure to ensure fairness in the election process.
The June 12, 1993 Election
The most notable moment in Nwosu’s career came during the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
This election saw Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), win a landslide victory over his rival Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
The election was widely seen as a moment of hope for Nigerians who had long suffered under military dictatorship.
The June 12 election represented a turning point in Nigeria’s political history, as it was expected to bring an end to military rule and usher in a new era of democracy.
However, the results of this election were never fully announced.
Despite releasing many of the results, Professor Nwosu was abruptly ordered by the Babangida regime to stop further announcements.
This action sparked outrage across the country, as Nigerians had already seen enough results to know that Abiola was leading by a significant margin.
The annulment of the June 12 election by General Babangida plunged Nigeria into political turmoil.
Widespread protests followed, and the country would not return to democracy until 1999.
Many Nigerians regard the annulment of the June 12 election as one of the most significant betrayals in the nation’s history.
For his role in conducting the election, Nwosu remained a respected figure in Nigerian politics, even though he was powerless to prevent the annulment.
A Call for Recognition
In July 2024, the Nigerian House of Representatives called on President Bola Tinubu to honour Professor Nwosu for his contribution to democracy.
Lawmakers emphasized that Nwosu played a pivotal role in organizing Nigeria’s most credible election, and they urged the government to formally recognize his efforts.
The motion followed years of advocacy from pro-democracy groups and political commentators, who argued that Nwosu deserved more recognition for his work.
Many Nigerians believe that had the June 12 election been allowed to stand, the country’s political landscape would have been vastly different today.
Tributes Pour In
News of Nwosu’s death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from across Nigeria.
Political leaders, civil society groups, and ordinary Nigerians have expressed their admiration for the late professor’s contributions to the nation’s democratic journey.
“Nigeria has lost a true patriot,” said a former colleague of Nwosu, who worked with him during the June 12 election.
“He believed in democracy and fought to ensure that the people’s will was respected, even when the odds were against him.”
Chief Moshood Abiola’s family also paid tribute to Nwosu, remembering him as a man who stood for justice.
“Nwosu will forever be remembered for his courage in the face of immense pressure,” a family spokesperson said.
“He gave Nigerians hope that democracy was possible.”
Others have pointed to the lessons that can be learned from Nwosu’s life, particularly his commitment to transparency in the electoral process.
“He introduced systems that made rigging much more difficult, and that is something we must continue to build on,” said a political analyst in Lagos.
A Lasting Legacy
Even though the June 12 election was annulled, the impact of Nwosu’s work can still be felt today.
Many of the reforms he introduced have influenced how elections are conducted in Nigeria.
The Option A4 system, while no longer in use, laid the foundation for subsequent efforts to improve electoral transparency.
In recognition of his contributions, June 12 has since been declared Nigeria’s Democracy Day, a public holiday to honour the struggle for democracy.
