In a dramatic turn of events, the Senate has dismissed a motion that proposed renaming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in honor of the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu. The proposal, which resurfaced on Thursday through Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, had initially been rejected the previous day, sparking renewed debate over Nwosu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy.
Prof. Humphrey Nwosu is best known for overseeing Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993, presidential election—an exercise widely regarded as the most transparent in the nation’s history. However, the results were never officially declared due to the abrupt annulment by then-military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Senator Abaribe pushed for a posthumous national honor for Nwosu, arguing that his role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic journey deserved lasting recognition. However, the motion met stiff opposition from lawmakers with differing views on his legacy.
Senator Osita Ngwu acknowledged Nwosu’s predicament, noting that his inability to announce the election results was due to the constraints of military rule. “It’s not like he had a choice; a gun was literally pointed at his head. Still, many of us see him as a hero,” he said.
Conversely, some senators firmly opposed the proposal. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim questioned why Nwosu should be honored at all. “If he didn’t announce the results, why should we name anything after him?” he challenged. Senator Cyril Fasuyi reinforced this sentiment, asserting that history only remembers results, not just efforts.
Another major argument against immortalizing Nwosu revolved around preserving the legacy of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled election. Senator Afolabi Salisu warned that naming INEC’s headquarters after Nwosu could overshadow Abiola’s significance in Nigeria’s democratic struggle. “Beyond a moment of silence, anything else diminishes Abiola’s memory,” he insisted.
After intense deliberation, the Senate reached a consensus through a voice vote. While lawmakers agreed to observe a one-minute silence and send condolences to Nwosu’s family, they firmly rejected the motion to rename the INEC headquarters in his honor.