By Damilare Adeleye
Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) from 1989 to 1993, has passed away.
It was learnt that the elder statesman died in a Virginia hospital in the United States at the age of 83.
Nwosu spearheaded the electoral commission that conducted Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Appointed by the then military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida, Nwosu oversaw the election that many still regard as the freest and fairest in the nation’s history.
The election saw Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) emerged victorious over Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).Nwosu’s leadership at the NEC, now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), introduced the innovative Option A4 and Open Ballot voting systems.
These reforms were aimed at enhancing transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
Despite his efforts, Nwosu was forced to halt the release of the election results by the Babangida regime before the final tally could be announced.
The military dictator later annulled the election, sparking widespread protests and political unrest.