Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) from 1989 to 1993, has passed away in a hospital in Virginia, USA.
He was 83 years old, having been born on October 2, 1941.
Nwosu was appointed by military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida and is best known for overseeing the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which is widely regarded as Nigeria’s most free and fair election.
In that pivotal election, Chief Moshood Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) emerged victorious over Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Under Nwosu’s leadership, the commission introduced the innovative Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system, which significantly transformed the electoral process in Nigeria.
However, despite announcing several election results, Nwosu was ultimately ordered by the Babangida regime to cease further announcements concerning the June 12 election.
In July 2024, the House of Representatives urged President Bola Tinubu to honour Nwosu for his instrumental role in conducting what is considered the most credible election in Nigeria’s post-independence history.
NEC is now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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