₦airaland Forum

IHEDIOHA, OBI, UMAHI, OTTI, SOLUDO, OTHERS PAY FINAL TRIBUTE TO LATE PROF. HUMPHREY NWOSU

March 28, 2025

His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, joined other distinguished Igbo leaders and prominent Nigerians to bid farewell to the late Prof. Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu at Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State.

Prof. Nwosu, a former Chairman of the now-defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), conducted the historic June 12, 1993, election, widely regarded as one of the most credible in Nigeria's history. He was laid to rest in his hometown, Ajalli, Orumba North LGA.

The funeral service, held at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Ajalli in Orumba North Local Government Area, was attended by an array of distinguished personalities, including former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives and former Governor of Imo State, H.E. Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate and former Governor of Anambra State, H.E. Mr. Peter Obi; Governor of Anambra State, H.E. Prof. Charles Soludo; Governor of Abia State, H.E. Dr. Alex Otti; Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi; Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Victor Umeh; Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu (Ikeoha); Nze Charles Onwunali, and several other notable figures.

The gathering was a testament to Prof. Nwosu’s enduring legacy in Nigeria’s electoral history and his contributions to democratic governance.

‘ABACHA SCREAMED AT ME, IBB TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN’

Nwosu added that Sani Abacha, the chief of defence staff who seized power less than three months after IBB “stepped aside”, also barked at him over the announcement of the results.

“The military then said a committee headed by Abacha should find a solution to the problem. Abacha was in that committee, Murtala Nyako, Aliyu Gusau and David Mark were also in that committee. Then, another sub-committee was created,” he said.

“I told them that there was nothing to meet about that; the law is clear because an election has been conducted and results have been collated, and the only one remaining was that of Taraba, and we have come along with it.

“I told them to allow us to complete the exercise. Abacha screamed at me when he heard this. He told me who do I think I was. He said I was not a member of the national security council and that I went ahead and held an election even after the court had declared it illegal.

“In fact, I was called into a meeting by the national defence and security council and asked if I would release the result without informing the military body. I replied: ‘That is the law. There was no provision for the highest ruling military body to vet the result. The law says the results should be announced at ward, local, state and, finally, headquarters level’.

“I and my national commissioners were summoned to Aso Rock, and Babangida asked what the NEC’s position was on the election. We answered that the NEC should be allowed to conclude the election and announce the result and that we would challenge the letter served by the commissioner of police halting the release of election results. Then Babangida told us, ‘You people are on your own’.

“Then we went to court. The attorney general of the federation should have championed our position, but he did not. It was Bukhari Bello, director of NEC’s Lagos services, who went to the Kaduna court of appeal and filed the papers.” Nwosu added that the military dissolved NEC on June 23 to prevent the court from certifying results of the poll.

“We submitted all the results, including that of Taraba, showing that Abiola won the election. Abiola was represented by K Ajayi, and Tofa was also represented. The court held its first sitting, and Justice Okey Achike was the chairman,” he said.

“He was ready to conclude, and he ordered the Abuja high court to submit all matters relating to the election. All the results were submitted to his court for accelerated hearing and decision [slated] for June 25, 1993.

“When you submit something to the court, it becomes a public document, is it not? All the results were submitted to the court headed by Okey Achike, showing that Abiola won. Abiola knew. When this was to be done on June 25, the military quickly dissolved my commission on June 23.

“I am saying for public record that Abiola won the June 12 election. In all the documents that we submitted, as far back as June 20, 1993.”

Racoon:
https://www.thecable.ng/rewind-the-military-tried-to-stop-me-in-2014-nwosu-said-abiola-won-june-12-election/

gidgiddy:
RIP Prof Humphrey Nwosu

You did your best, but those with selfish interests destroyed what would have been your greatest work

TimeManager:
Has anything been named after Humphrey Nwosu the in SE?. If nothing has been named after him, then this gathering was a gathering of hypocrites.

-Kiss the truth!

JAWBONE:
Rest In Peace Hero of Democracy

Hero of democracy?

Na tribalism go finish you Ipobidients

The way y'all always try to rewrite history is really sickening.

LagosOrigin:
get out of here if you have anything sensible to say.

Professor Nwosu is a hero and died a hero. If you don't like it, go and fight with him in the great beyond.

TimeManager:
Has anything been named after Humphrey Nwosu the in SE?. If nothing has been named after him, then this gathering was a gathering of hypocrites.
-Kiss the truth!

TimeManager:
Has anything been named after Humphrey Nwosu the in SE?. If nothing has been named after him, then this gathering was a gathering of hypocrites.



-Kiss the truth!