The Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in honor of the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC). Nwosu was the head of the NEC, which oversaw the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, won by Chief Moshood Abiola.
The motion, re-sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on Thursday after it was previously rejected on Wednesday, called for posthumous national honors to be awarded to Nwosu for his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. However, the proposal sparked a heated debate, with lawmakers deeply divided over Nwosu’s legacy.
Senator Osita Ngwu from Enugu West acknowledged that Nwosu operated under a military regime that prevented him from announcing the results of the annulled election but defended him as a hero, stating, “There was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head.”
Similarly, Senator Austin Akobundu from Abia Central criticized the dismissal of Nwosu’s contributions, arguing he deserved recognition in Nigeria’s hall of honor.
In contrast, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim from Ondo South rejected the idea, questioning the logic of honoring someone who did not announce the results of the June 12 election, insisting, “Nothing should be named after him.”
Senator Cyril Fasuyi from Ekiti North also opposed the motion, arguing that history rewards results, not efforts. He maintained that since Nwosu did not announce the results, whether under duress or not, he should not be honored with the INEC headquarters naming.
Senator Sunday Karimi from Kogi West criticized Nwosu for lacking the courage to speak out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu from Ogun Central warned that honoring Nwosu would undermine the legacy of MKO Abiola, the widely accepted winner of the annulled election. He stated, “Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy.”
After an intense debate, most senators rejected the motion via a voice vote. However, they agreed to honor Nwosu with a one-minute silence and extend condolences to his family, effectively dismissing the proposal to immortalize him.