Humphrey Nwosu: Life and times of June 12 poll umpire

Former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission Prof Humphrey Nwosu, needs no introduction in Nigerian politics. ADEBAYO FOLORUNSHO-FRANCIS chronicled his political journey and the role he played in the controversial June 12, 1993 election

On Thursday, the death of the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, Prof Humphrey Nwosu, was announced in the media.

Although an official statement regarding his death has not been released yet, he was said to have died in an undisclosed hospital in Virginia, the United States, at the age of 83.

A Professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the former electoral umpire hailed from Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Before he was appointed Chairman of the National Electoral Commission in 1989 by former Military Head of State, President Ibrahim Babangida, Nwosu served in the cabinet of former Governor of the old Anambra State, Samson Omeruah, where he helped traditional rulers to gain staffs of office, receive salaries and settled intra and inter-community land disputes.

But following a face-off between Babangida and his predecessor, Eme Awa, who resigned from NEC, the political scientist was offered an opportunity to replace him in 1989, and he gladly took the job.

The litmus test for him didn’t come until during the June 12, 1993 election, which many Nigerians have described as arguably the freest and fairest poll ever conducted to date. It was an election the late business magnate and philanthropist, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, was presumed to have won.

It was during that particular election that the electoral umpire under the leadership of Nwosu introduced the Option A4 voting and Open ballot system.

Trouble broke out when the Anambra indigene started releasing the results of the poll, with the late MKO seemingly coasting to victory.

He received an immediate order to call off the announcement of the final result by the military regime for undisclosed reasons.

The action triggered protests across the country, with many hailing on Abiola as the president-in-waiting. But the military stood its ground. Despite the imposition of a Transition National government, which was subsequently kicked out by General Sani Abacha, MKO couldn’t regain his acclaimed mandate until he died in detention.

Although many Nigerians are still angry with Nwosu over the part he played in the infamous June 12 story, the account in his book, ‘Laying the Foundation for Nigeria’s Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993, Presidential Election’, offers a compelling insight into the conduct and the annulment of the poll.

In the odyssey leading to the annulment of the results, the author explained that the military was not in support of the poll in the first place.

Nwosu narrated that he went to Aso Rock with his team for a meeting with the President (Babangida) and met him with some members of his cabinet, including the Vice President, Admiral Aikhomu.

Others present were the Minister of Defence, Gen Sani Abacha; General Aliyu; all the Service Chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, General Joshua Dogonyaro; Brigadier General Akilu; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Aliyu Mohammed.

He said from the expression on their faces they were not expecting them to attend the meeting.

“The President turned to us and asked what was the purpose. I explained to the President and members of the Council that our visit was in connection with the June 12 presidential election. Our position is that the election should go on as scheduled.

“The President, after weighing the arguments on both sides of the divide, was convinced that NEC’s position was quite tenable and that the Abuja High Court order would not stop us from conducting the June 12 presidential election.

“We were about to share a smile of victory when we heard shuffling of papers and legs. And as we looked up, we heard the collective voice of the military colleagues of the President saying, `We are not a banana Republic. No one should tell us what to do. Postpone the election at least for one week to prove that we are a sovereign nation,’ he recalled.

In the book, Nwosu tried very hard to give the impression he actually went the extra mile to get things right.

But the military, especially with the presence of Abacha, who he met to allow them to announce the remaining results, put an end to the quest.

‘’We met in General Sani Abacha’s guest house in Abuja. A subcommittee made up of the NEC Chairman, Brigadier General Akilu, and the Attorney General, Clement Akpamgbo, was set up. In attendance at the series of meetings we held to find a solution was the Secretary of the Commission, Alhaji Aliyu Umar, a National Commissioner, and Professor Felix Ideriah, who was also the Chief Returning Officer for the June 12, 1993, presidential election, and Mallam Buhari Bello, the Director of Legal Services of NEC.

“From our angle in NEC, there was nothing to discuss other than the successful conclusion of the election by declaring the winner. We returned to the guest house of General Sani Abacha, the venue of the committee’s meeting. I presented to the committee two options.

“I could hardly conclude the submission when General Sani Abacha shouted at me to stop. He uttered, `Who do you think you are? You conducted a presidential election the court prohibited. You helped to cause the current confusion without the support of the members of your commission.’”

As part of his contribution, former President Muhammadu Buhari eventually declared the late MKO Abiola as the presumed winner of the poll, a gesture he took to lay the ghost of June 12 to rest.

To his credit, Buhari also granted Abiola all the benefits due to a former President.

Nwosu went into exile after the annulment.

In 2018, he said, “Indeed, June 12, 1993, marked a turning point in Nigeria’s tortuous journey towards a democratic polity.

“Undoubtedly, the democratic system of governance is the best, especially for a multi-ethnic nation like ours.

“It is our hope that expanding the frontiers of democracy will provide economic, social and developmental benefits that will certainly make Nigeria a great nation not only in Africa but across the world.”

Meanwhile, plaudits have poured in for the fallen university Don.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, said Nwosu was a “true democrat whose love for democracy was demonstrated in the way and manner he carried out his responsibilities as an electoral umpire between 1989 and 1993.”

Dr. Josef Onoh, a former South East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu’s campaign, called on the Federal Government to immortalise the late Nwosu.

“Without Nwosu’s resilience and commitment, the history of the June 12 democracy celebration would not have been made,” Onoh said.

He added, “Humphrey Nwosu’s life and actions exemplified the possibility of a united Nigeria. His courage, even in the face of life-threatening opposition, allowed the world to see a Nigeria capable of upholding truth over ethnic divisions.

“Nwosu stood by the truth and showed that we should not play ethnicity in politics.”

The Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties called for the recognition of Nwosu. The CNPP, in a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, highlighted

The statement noted that the continued sidelining of Prof. Nwosu raised questions about the role of ethnicity in national recognition. The CNPP urged leaders to reflect on this disparity and ensure that actions align with the unity and brotherhood the national anthem espouses.

“Let us not forget the architects of our freedom. Let us honour all heroes, for a nation that forgets its heroes will itself soon be forgotten,” the CNPP’s spokesman said.

“The CNPP’s call to action is a reminder of the importance of acknowledging all contributors to Nigeria’s democracy, ensuring that the legacy of individuals like Prof. Nwosu is not forgotten in the annals of history,” the CNPP added.

In July, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to name the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission after its former chairman, Nwosu, in recognition of his contributions to the country’s political development.

The House said there was a need for the government to immortalise Prof. Nwosu when he is still alive by giving him a national honour and naming a national monument after him.

This followed a motion of urgent public importance by Peter Uzokwe and Nnabuife Clara.

Prof. Nwosu’s academic journey began at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he became a professor of political science. His career is marked by significant contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape, including his service in the cabinet of Samson Omeruah, the governor of the old Anambra State.

There, he played a crucial role in empowering traditional rulers and resolving community disputes.

Despite the challenges and controversies that followed the infamous June 12 election, Prof. Nwosu’s commitment to a democratic Nigeria has left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.

His legacy continues to inspire discussions on electoral reforms and democracy in Nigeria.