The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has called for a posthumous national honour to be awarded to the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who served as Nigeria’s electoral chief from 1989 to 1993. Speaking at a tribute event held at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Yakubu praised Nwosu’s transformative contributions to Nigeria’s electoral system, including his introduction of the revolutionary Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot System.
Nwosu’s Legacy: A Game-Changer for Nigerian Elections
Professor Nwosu’s leadership during the 1993 presidential election is widely regarded as a turning point in Nigeria’s electoral history, despite the election’s eventual annulment. Yakubu described the election, held under Nwosu’s guidance, as one of the “freest and fairest” in the country’s history, a sentiment shared by many despite the challenges it faced.
“Like all his predecessors, Professor Nwosu managed elections in an incredibly difficult context. But his reforms, including the Open Ballot System, better known as Option A4, truly revolutionized voting in Nigeria. Voters queued behind the symbol of their party choice, allowing for greater transparency and a more participatory process,” Yakubu said.
A Long-Overdue Recognition for Nwosu’s Pioneering Work
Yakubu went on to emphasize that Nwosu’s contributions, though not immediately appreciated, are now widely acknowledged. The 1993 election, which led to the annulment and the eventual formation of an interim government, is now seen as a landmark event in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Even those who were involved in the annulment have since expressed regret over the decision.
“A quarter of a century later, the presumed winner of that election, Chief M. K. O. Abiola, was posthumously awarded Nigeria’s highest national honour. His running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, received the second-highest honour. But sadly, the electoral commission that organized the election, led by Professor Nwosu, received only a muted commendation,” Yakubu lamented.
He continued, “If it was an oversight not to honour Nwosu in his lifetime, it’s never too late for the authorities to rectify this by awarding him a posthumous recognition. His tireless work deserves to be celebrated.”
Honouring Nwosu’s Commitment to Nigeria’s Democracy
Yakubu expressed his belief that Professor Nwosu’s efforts and dedication to the country’s democratic process warrant a posthumous national honour. He emphasized that the election Nwosu conducted did not run itself; it was meticulously organized by a team, with Nwosu at the helm. For Yakubu and the INEC team, Nwosu’s legacy continues to inspire the work they do today.
“As we continue to honour Professor Nwosu’s memory, we remain committed to the cause of free and fair elections in Nigeria,” Yakubu concluded.
The call for a posthumous honour for Professor Humphrey Nwosu underscores the enduring importance of his pioneering work in Nigeria’s electoral history and the need for the country to recognize the key figures who helped shape its democracy.
