The Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, who oversaw the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe reintroduced the motion on Thursday, March 27, calling for Nwosu to be posthumously honoured for his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. However, the proposal reignited debate, with lawmakers sharply divided over his legacy.
Senator Osita Ngwu defended Nwosu, arguing that he was operating under a military dictatorship that prevented him from announcing the election results. “There was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head. That doesn’t change the fact that some of us see him as a hero,” he said.
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However, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim dismissed the idea, stating, “Nothing should be named after him.” Senator Cyril Fasuyi added, “As long as he did not announce the result, whether under duress or not, I am against naming INEC headquarters after him.”
Senator Sunday Karimi criticised Nwosu for not speaking out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu argued that honouring him would diminish MKO Abiola’s legacy. “Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy,” Salisu stated.
After deliberation, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected the motion through a voice vote, opting instead to observe a one-minute silence and extend condolences to Nwosu’s family.