Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) who oversaw Nigeria’s iconic June 12, 1993 election, has passed away at the age of 83. He died in a hospital in Virginia, USA, on October 24, 2024.
Nwosu, born on October 2, 1941, is remembered for his pivotal role in organizing what is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election. The election was contested between Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Despite Abiola’s victory, the election was controversially annulled by the then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Appointed in 1989, Nwosu’s tenure as NEC chairman introduced significant innovations in Nigeria’s electoral system, including the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot System. These measures were aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Though Nwosu had begun announcing the results of the 1993 election, the Babangida regime abruptly halted the process, marking a significant moment in Nigeria’s political history. Despite the annulment, the election remains a symbol of democratic aspirations in the country.
In July 2024, the Nigerian House of Representatives urged President Bola Tinubu to immortalize Professor Nwosu for his contributions to democracy and for conducting what has been hailed as the most credible election in post-independence Nigeria.
