By Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who chaired the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) and oversaw the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The motion, initially proposed on Wednesday, was reintroduced on Thursday by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who argued that Nwosu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution deserved national recognition. He urged the government to confer a posthumous national honor on Nwosu as a way of acknowledging his role in shaping the country’s electoral process.
During the Senate session, Abaribe emphasized that Nwosu’s leadership in conducting what was widely regarded as Nigeria’s fairest election should not be forgotten. He pointed out that despite the annulment of the election, Nwosu’s efforts in strengthening democracy remained significant.
However, opposition to the motion emerged among senators who argued that renaming INEC’s headquarters after Nwosu was unnecessary. Some lawmakers contended that while his contributions were notable, such an honor should be reserved for individuals with broader national recognition beyond a single election.
Following debates, the Senate dismissed the motion, maintaining that the electoral commission’s headquarters should retain its current name. This decision came despite calls from some political stakeholders to immortalize Nwosu for his role in Nigeria’s democratic history.
With the rejection of the motion, Abaribe’s push for national honors for Nwosu remains uncertain, as there has been no official response from the presidency regarding posthumous recognition for the late election chief.
