The Senate has firmly rejected a motion that proposed renaming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in honour of the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), who oversaw the contentious June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The motion, reintroduced by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on Thursday after it was initially dismissed the previous day, called for posthumous recognition of Nwosu with national honours, acknowledging his contribution to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Despite the motion’s intent, it triggered a heated and divided debate among lawmakers, with varying opinions on whether Nwosu’s legacy warranted such an honour.
Senator Osita Ngwu acknowledged that Nwosu had operated under a military regime, which limited his ability to announce the election results, suggesting that Nwosu could not be blamed for failing to announce the results under duress.
He expressed that many still considered Nwosu a hero despite the circumstances.
In contrast, Senator Austin Akobundu argued that it was unjust for lawmakers to dismiss Nwosu’s contributions, stressing that he deserved recognition in Nigeria’s hall of honour for his role in the democratic process.
Meanwhile, other senators, including Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, firmly rejected the idea, questioning why the Senate would honour someone who did not announce the election results. Ibrahim insisted that nothing should be named after Nwosu.
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Senator Cyril Fasuyi emphasised that history rewards results, not intentions, and that Nwosu’s failure to announce the results, regardless of the circumstances, disqualified him from such an honour.
Senator Sunday Karimi also criticized Nwosu for not speaking out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu cautioned that immortalising him would overshadow the memory of MKO Abiola, the widely recognized winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled election. Salisu argued that any action beyond a one-minute silence would tarnish Abiola’s legacy.
Following the heated deliberations, the majority of senators voted to reject the motion through a voice vote.
They agreed, however, to hold a one-minute silence in Nwosu’s honour and extended condolences to his family, effectively putting an end to any further efforts to immortalize him through the renaming of the INEC headquarters.
 headquarters in honour of the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), who oversaw the contentious June 12, 1993, presidential election.){kind=link}