Kehinde Fajobi
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has expressed deep sadness over the passing of Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), who died early Thursday in the United States at the age of 83 after a brief illness.
In a condolence message signed by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo remarked, “Nigeria has lost a true umpire of electoral integrity.”
He praised Nwosu as a distinguished son of Anambra State, hailing from the Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area, and noted that Nwosu had brought “immense pride to the state through his exemplary service to Nigeria.”
Reflecting on Nwosu’s time as NEC Chairman from 1989 to 1993, Soludo said it “marked a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, particularly through his innovative contributions to our electoral process.”
He especially noted Nwosu’s role in overseeing the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely considered the freest and fairest election in Nigerian history.
Soludo recalled, “His game-changing innovations, including the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system, earned global recognition and set new standards for electoral transparency in Africa, continuing to influence contemporary discussions on electoral best practices in Nigeria.”
Governor Soludo extended his heartfelt condolences to Prof. Nwosu’s family and the Ajali community, praying “that his soul find eternal rest” and urging everyone to take solace in knowing that “his legacy of electoral integrity and democratic values cannot be forgotten.”