Former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who led Nigeria’s electoral body from 1989 to 1993, has passed away.
NEC, now called the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s democratic history under Nwosu’s leadership.
Born on October 2, 1941, Nwosu died in a hospital in Virginia, USA.4Appointed by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, Nwosu oversaw the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest.
Chief Moshood Abiola, representing the Social Democratic Party, emerged victorious, defeating Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention.
Nwosu’s tenure saw the introduction of the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system, both of which were considered innovative reforms at the time. However, while announcing the election results, Nwosu was ordered by the Babangida regime to halt further declarations.
In July 2024, the House of Representatives urged President Bola Tinubu to immortalize Nwosu, recognizing his role in conducting what many consider the most credible election in post-independence Nigeria.
