The South East Caucus of the Senate, who walked out of the chamber over the rejection of a motion to immortalize Professor Humphrey Nwosu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to recognize the late electoral chief for his role in conducting what is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest election.
Speaking at an emergency Press briefing, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed the caucus’s disappointment over the Senate’s decision.
He noted that their motion contained 3 key recommendations, all of which were rejected.
Abaribe explained that the Caucus had urged the Senate to recommend to the Executive arm of government that the current INEC national headquarters be named after Prof Nwosu.
He recalled that Nwosu not only laid the foundation for INEC building, but had begun its construction before the National Electoral Commission (NEC) was dissolved by the military in 1993.
The Caucus also proposed that Nwosu be posthumously awarded a national honor in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. This, too, was rejected.
Abaribe referenced remarks by former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, who, at a recent colloquium in Nwosu’s honor, expressed surprise that the Nigerian government had yet to recognize the late Professor’s contributions.
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Despite the Senate’s rejection, Abaribe insisted that their call for Nwosu’s recognition would not be abandoned.
He emphasized that while the government has rightfully recognized June 12 as Democracy Day, it must also acknowledge those who made sacrifices for Nigeria’s democratic progress.
Joined Senator Abaribe at the Press briefing were all the Senators from the South East geopolitical zone, along with Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), who also backed the call for Nwosu’s recognition.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
