Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who served as the Chairman of the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) from 1989 to 1993, has passed away.
He died on October 2, 2024, in a hospital in Virginia, USA. The NEC has since been renamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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Nwosu was appointed by the military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida and is best known for overseeing the June 12, 1993, election, which is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest.
In this historic presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) emerged victorious over Bashir Tofa of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).
Under Nwosu’s leadership, the commission introduced innovative electoral reforms, including the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system. However, despite releasing many results, Nwosu was later ordered to halt further announcements of the June 12 election by the Babangida regime.
In July 2024, the House of Representatives urged President Bola Tinubu to honor Nwosu for his significant contributions to conducting what is considered the most credible election in Nigeria’s post-independence history. Nwosu’s legacy continues to impact Nigeria’s electoral landscape as the nation reflects on the importance of fair and transparent elections.
