Why The Senate's Decision On Humphrey Nwosu Has Sparked Controversy

Senate Rejects Motion to Honor Former NEC Chairman, Humphrey Nwosu

Let me tell you something that’s got folks talking. Anambra North Senator, Tony Nwoye, has spoken out strongly against the Senate's decision not to honor the late Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC). This decision was made during a heated session on Thursday, where the Senate refused to rename the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the revered professor.

Now, here's the kicker: Ekiti North Senator, Cyril Fasuyi, argued that Professor Nwosu's failure to declare the results of the annulled June 12, 1993, election disqualified him from receiving such an honor. But Senator Nwoye wasn’t having it. He stood up and laid it all out, saying that Nwosu has been wrongly accused, and the facts have been twisted beyond recognition.

Setting the Record Straight: Senator Nwoye Speaks Up

Senator Nwoye reminded the Senate chamber of something crucial—Justice Dahiru Saleh was the one who issued the ruling against announcing the results of the June 12 election. He emphasized that we shouldn’t let personal biases, emotions, or party affiliations cloud our judgment. He recounted his own experience, saying, "During that election, I was a presiding officer. I had just finished secondary school. That election is widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria's history. Professor Humphrey Nwosu, a distinguished Professor of Political Science from the University of Nigeria, gave it his all."

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He went on to say, "We shouldn’t distort the facts. It’s deeply disappointing when some of us twist the truth just because Professor Humphrey Nwosu happens to be an Igbo man. That’s not fair at all. Despite the immense pressure from the Babangida government, despite the court order by Justice Ikpeme halting the election, and despite all the threats from the military cabal, Professor Nwosu still managed to conduct what is regarded as the most credible election in our nation's history."

Why the Criticism Falls Short

Senator Nwoye posed a couple of pointed questions to make his point crystal clear. "Was it Professor Humphrey Nwosu who made Justice Saleh from the Katangum Emirate in Bauchi annul the election? Was it Professor Humphrey Nwosu who led the military cabal to throw Nigeria into chaos? No, it wasn’t. It’s highly unfair to blame him for things that were beyond his control."

This debate has sparked a conversation about fairness, integrity, and the role of bias in decision-making. It’s a reminder that history is often more complex than it seems, and honoring those who stood up for justice—even in the face of adversity—is crucial for a nation's progress.

Naija News continues to follow this story, bringing you the latest updates as they unfold.