Nigerian Senate Embroiled In Heated Debate Over Honor For Late Electoral Commission Chairman
By Noel Chiagorom
A contentious debate erupted in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, sparked by a motion to honor the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission. Nwosu supervised the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The debate took a dramatic turn when South East senators stormed out of plenary in protest of the failed motion. An Ogun West senator had objected to the motion, claiming Nwosu did not deserve to be immortalized.
This raises a critical question: on what grounds is MKO Abiola celebrated as the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election? Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, FCA, has been urged to provide clarity on this matter.
Senator Adam Oshiomhole also rejected the motion to rename the INEC headquarters after Nwosu. According to PUNCH Online, Nwosu oversaw the June 12 election, which was truncated by former military President General Ibrahim Babangida.
In light of this report, the motion to rename INEC after Dr. Humphrey Nwosu is supported. Nwosu had confirmed that MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
It is worth noting that Nwosu was under duress when the military took over the INEC office, and he was held hostage by General Ibrahim Babangida and his guards.
The same senators who had honored General Babangida at his book launch, donating hundreds of millions of naira to his library, rejected the motion to immortalize Nwosu. This perceived snub has sparked allegations of social exclusion, disempowerment, and disenfranchisement.
The treatment of the Igbo people has been a contentious issue, with many feeling marginalized and insignificant, particularly under the current administration led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
The question remains: what have the Igbo people done to warrant such treatment?
