Dr. Josef Onoh, former South East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu’s campaign, has urged the federal government to immortalize the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), who is celebrated for overseeing Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In a recent statement, Onoh praised Nwosu’s unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s unity and his vital role in conducting what is widely considered the country’s freest and fairest election. He noted that, despite immense pressure from the military regime at the time, Nwosu remained steadfast in announcing the election results, which declared MKO Abiola as the winner.
Onoh remarked, “Without Nwosu’s resilience and commitment, the history of June 12 democracy celebration would not have been made.” He emphasized that Nwosu transcended ethnic divides during a period of heightened political tension, underscoring the importance of unity in a nation often fraught with ethnic sentiments.
He continued, “Humphrey Nwosu’s life and actions exemplified the possibility of a united Nigeria. His courage, even in the face of life-threatening opposition, allowed the world to see a Nigeria capable of upholding truth over ethnic divisions.”
Onoh’s call for the federal government to honor Nwosu reflects a desire to acknowledge the profound impact of his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey. He concluded by highlighting that Nwosu’s legacy should serve as an inspiration for Nigerians to strive for a more unified and progressive nation, stressing the need for integrity in politics: “Nwosu stood by the truth and showed that we should not play ethnicity in politics.”