Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of Nigeria’s National Electoral Commission (NEC), now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has passed away at the age of 82.
Nwosu, born on October 2, 1941, died in a hospital in Virginia, United States.
Nwosu is best remembered for his role in overseeing Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, which is widely considered the country’s freest and fairest election to date.
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Under his leadership, Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won the election, defeating Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Despite immense pressure from the Ibrahim Babangida military regime to halt the announcement of results, Nwosu released a significant portion of the election outcomes.
However, the election was ultimately annulled, leading to a political crisis that shaped Nigeria’s democratic history.
Professor Nwosu’s legacy remains tied to his efforts to uphold electoral integrity in a challenging political environment, making him a significant figure in Nigeria’s journey toward democracy.
