Unpacking The Legacy Of Humphrey Nwosu: A Controversial Figure In Nigeria's Electoral History

Unveiling the Truth: Humphrey Nwosu's Role in Nigeria's Pivotal Election

Let me tell you a story about Humphrey Nwosu, a man whose name is forever etched in Nigeria’s electoral history. Investigations have uncovered that Nwosu, who served as the chairman of the now-defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) from 1989 to 1993, boldly declared that MKO Abiola was the rightful winner of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election. This election, which many consider the most credible in Nigeria’s history, was tragically annulled by the military regime led by Ibrahim Babangida, leaving a deep scar on the nation’s democratic journey.

Naija News brings you the details: Nwosu was at the helm of the NEC during this tumultuous period, overseeing the electoral battle between MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). It was a high-stakes contest that captivated the nation, but its outcome was never officially declared due to the military's intervention.

The Controversy Surrounding the Annulment

Now, here’s where things get complicated. The annulment of the June 12 election remains one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria’s political history. Many Nigerians believe that the election results were deliberately suppressed to prevent MKO Abiola, a man widely regarded as the people’s choice, from taking office. Nwosu, who passed away in October 2024, was set to be laid to rest in his home state of Anambra last Saturday. However, his legacy continues to spark debate.

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On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate made a controversial decision by rejecting a motion to honor Nwosu posthumously. Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, argued that Nwosu did not deserve national recognition because he never publicly admitted that Abiola had won the election during his lifetime. But here’s the kicker—Nwosu did, in fact, speak out about the results in a 2014 interview with Sahara TV.

Nwosu’s Testimony: What Really Happened?

In that interview, Nwosu revealed that all the results of the June 12 election were submitted to the court as "public documents." He also explained that his commission faced numerous legal challenges from injunctions aimed at halting the election process and the announcement of the results. The military dissolved his commission just two days before a court ruling that would have allowed him to announce the official outcome.

Nwosu described the intense pressure he faced during those critical days. He recalled, “When the results started coming in on June 13 and 14, the collation process was set to wrap up around June 17 and 18. The NRC had even congratulated the SDP for winning. Suddenly, we received a letter from the commissioner of police ordering us to cease releasing the results.”

He continued, “On June 16, I called an emergency meeting of the commission. All the results had arrived except for those from Taraba. The resident commissioner was en route with the final tally. We were prepared to release the results by June 17, but then they told us to stop. The military later intervened, creating a committee headed by Sani Abacha to address the situation.”

Abacha’s Role in the Fallout

Nwosu recounted how Sani Abacha, who would seize power less than three months after Babangida "stepped aside," reacted when Nwosu insisted on announcing the results. “Abacha screamed at me, questioning who I thought I was. He reminded me that I wasn’t part of the National Security Council and accused me of holding an election despite a court ruling declaring it illegal.”

Despite the military’s attempts to silence him, Nwosu stood firm. He explained, “The law was clear: an election had been conducted, and the results had been collated. All we needed was the final tally from Taraba. I told them to let us complete the exercise, but Abacha wouldn’t hear of it.”

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Nwosu added, “We took the matter to court, but the attorney general failed to support us. Instead, Bukhari Bello, the director of NEC’s Lagos services, filed the necessary papers. The military ultimately dissolved the NEC on June 23 to prevent the court from certifying the results.”

The Final Chapter: Nwosu’s Testimony in Court

In his testimony, Nwosu revealed that all the results, including those from Taraba, were submitted to the court, showing that MKO Abiola had indeed won the election. Abiola’s legal team, led by K Ajayi, and Tofa’s representatives were present during the proceedings. Justice Okey Achike chaired the first hearing, but the military’s interference ensured that the truth never saw the light of day.

As we reflect on Nwosu’s legacy, it’s clear that his role in the June 12 election was far more complex than many realize. While some criticize him for not speaking out sooner, his courage in later years to reveal the truth speaks volumes about his integrity. The question remains: Should Humphrey Nwosu be remembered as a hero or a controversial figure? That’s for history—and Nigerians—to decide.