Obituary: Humphrey Nwosu, architect of Nigeria’s freest election ever

The news of Humphrey Nwosu’s death broke on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

The 83 year old Professor of Political Science at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, died in a hospital in Virginia, United States of America.

Between 1989 to 1993, Nwosu was the chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) appointed by President Ibrahim Babangida, then head of state, after his predecessor Eme Awa resigned due to a disagreement with Babangida.

In his four years as leader of the electoral body, he introduced the option A4 voting system and the Open ballot system into the electoral system of Nigeria.

The option A4 was a direct queuing behind candidates of choice during either party primaries or general election.

The Anambra-born conducted the 12 June 1993 presidential election, the first since the 1983 military coup ended the country’s Second Republic.

The elections was an outcome of a transitional process to civilian rule spearheaded by the military ruler, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

The election, by many Nigerians was the freest and fairest election till date.

Chief Moshood Abiola of the National Republican Convention, although not announced officially by NEC, was presumed to have won.

Nwosu had released many of the election results when he was ordered to stop further announcement by the military regime.

Hence, Abiola was thus never declared as the elections were annulled by Babangida, citing electoral irregularities.

The annulment led to protests and political unrest, including the resignation of Babangida.

Nwosu, in his administrative roles served in the cabinet of Samson Omeruah, governor of the old Anambra State, where he helped traditional rulers to gain staffs of office, receive salaries and settled intra and inter community land disputes.

He also served as chairman of a Federal Technical Committee on the application of Civil Service Reforms in the local government service.

Coincidentally, Attahiru Jega and Maurice Iwu — both former INEC chairmen – were national president of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) & vice president of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) respectively when Nwosu was INEC chairman.

In July 2024, the House of Representatives urged President Bola Tinubu to immortalise Nwosu, for his efforts in conducting the freest and most credible in post-independence Nigeria.

However, until his death, Nwosu was never immortalised or honoured by successive the presidency.