Humphrey Nwosu: Ohanaeze Makes Fresh Demand to Tinubu

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for posthumously honouring Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), by conferring on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The recognition was announced during Tinubu’s Democracy Day address at the National Assembly on Thursday.

Nwosu, who passed away in a U.S. hospital on October 24, 2024, is widely remembered for overseeing the landmark June 12, 1993, presidential election—often regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest—before it was controversially annulled. Earlier this year, a motion in the Senate to immortalise Nwosu by naming the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after him was rejected on March 27. The move led to a walkout by senators from the South-East caucus in protest.

In a statement issued by Ezechi Chukwu, the national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the organisation described the posthumous honour as “long overdue” and called on President Tinubu to go further by naming the INEC headquarters after Nwosu as a more fitting tribute to his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.

“The idea of honouring him is welcomed. Though it is late, we appreciate the fact that he has finally been honoured,” Chukwu stated. “It is also our desire that INEC Headquarters be named after Prof. Humphrey Nwosu for the virtue of his role in Nigeria’s democracy during the military.”

Chukwu also used the opportunity to express concern over the current state of the economy, saying that recent reforms by the Tinubu administration have yet to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. He cited high inflation, soaring exchange rates, and an escalating cost of living as key issues that need urgent attention.

He emphasised the importance of restructuring, fiscal federalism, and resource control as necessary steps towards sustainable economic recovery. According to Chukwu, “With the current system, governors are not in charge of security. Commissioners of police report directly to the inspector-general. A federal system that operates like a unitary government cannot place Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth.”

Ohanaeze concluded by calling for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s economic policies to better reflect the needs of its people and ensure meaningful development.