In order to restore the credibility of the June 12, 1993, election that was canceled, the Federal Government has been requested to recognize and honor the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.
Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the retired archbishop of Enugu Province (Anglican Communion), made the call yesterday in Enugu and demanded that General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), the former military head of state, face charges for the atrocities he admitted to inflicting against Nigeria.
On October 24, 2024, Nwosu, who presided over the National Electoral Commission (NEC) at the time and supervised the historic June 12 election that Babangida canceled, died without being honored nationally for his patriotic service. He will be laid to rest on March 28.
In response to Babangida’s admission during the recent book launch, Archbishop Chukwuma denounced the government’s and Nigerians’ inaction over Nwosu, who he claimed was instrumental in the election that is now known as Democracy Day.
Despite conducting Nigeria’s most credible election, Humphrey Nwosu was not awarded any national honors. He is now deceased. Kingibe and Abiola received recognition, while the man who ran the election received no attention. Chukwuma said, “Nigeria has treated Humphrey Nwosu unfairly.”
The government should erect a monument in Nwosu’s honor, he said, and he demanded a posthumous national award for him. He also demanded that his burial be handled by the federal government.
Everything Babangida wrote in his book, including his regrets and admissions that MKO Abiola had won the poll on June 12, is complete nonsense! It is an insult to Nigerians and a huge disappointment.
“I would like to see IBB imprisoned for uttering such a statement after defrauding the entire nation.”
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He also called Babangida’s assertion that Nigeria will benefit from the election’s cancellation a flagrant falsehood.
“We still cannot conduct a credible election,” he said, adding that Nigerians are suffering now as a result of poor leadership. Babangida’s confession is too late, having been made after Abiola and Nwosu passed away. He has to offer an apology to the Nigerian people and their families.
The Archbishop said that if President Bola Tinubu’s administration did not acknowledge Nwosu’s efforts to democracy, it would be apparent that they are also involved in sabotaging legitimate elections.
