Personality in Focus
Humphrey Nwosu Dies in US, Ohanaeze Rues Non-Recognition of Ex-Electoral Commissioner
A former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (now the Independent National Electoral Commission), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu is dead.
He died at the age of 83.
Nwosu, who conducted the June 12, 1993 election annulled by former President Ibrahim Babangida, served as Chairman of NEC from 1989 to 1993.
He hailed from the Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Although no official statement has been released by the family, a source close to the family said the deceased, born on October 2, 1941, died in a hospital in Virginia, United States of America in the early hours of Thursday.
The source said, “Yes, Prof died this morning in a hospital in Virginia, USA, after a brief illness. The family will soon issue a statement on it.”
He presided over the June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest.
Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party defeated Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention.
However, the subsequent annulment of the election plunged the country into political turmoil and prolonged military rule until Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Reacting to the news in an interview, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, lamented that the deceased died without being celebrated by the country, despite his significant contributions to Nigeria’s electoral system.
The acting National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Ogene, who reacted on behalf of the body, pointed out that while the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, the late MKO Abiola, was remembered and immortalised, the late Humphrey Nwosu was never honoured.
He said, “Until his death, no one, including the Federal Government, recognised this man, despite the fact that he put his life on the line to save the country’s democracy.
“Late Humphrey Nwosu was my brother; we belong to the same Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State and as a matter of fact, he is my kinsman. It is sad that successive administrations in the country never acknowledged him, not even by naming a federal institution after him.
“There are others in his position who might have compromised, but he stood his ground and ensured that the electoral wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian masses were realized.
When the President called to inform me of his decision to magnanimously confer on me the the National Award of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, on account of my much advertised role in the struggle for the validation of the June 12th election and affirmation of Chief MKO Abiola’s mandate, my first reaction was why only me and not all those unsung heroes. Those officers and men who actively participated in that struggle, risking their careers and even lives.
Although I was one of the leaders of that movement within the military, my contribution was by no means bigger than theirs. While I have been recognised and celebrated, including this National Honour by the President, they have remained anonymous.
It is therefore incumbent upon me to reveal the identity of these patriots if only to acknowledge and commend their contributions to the emergence of the current democratic dispensation.
The fact that Chief Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12th election won over 80% of the Armed Forces votes, clearly demonstrated the contribution of the other members of the military. I should add that this list is by no means exhaustive.
There are a lot more participants who have remained unknown to me since they served under others. I apologise to all those whose names I must have missed.
May God recognise and reward your sacrifice.
Top on my list is my deputy at the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Col MA Garba, whose commitment was so strong that he continued with the execution of our plans after some of us were arrested, detained and mercifully retired in October, 1993. He went on, as he should, to attain the enviable rank of a Major General in the army.
Others are:
-Lt col Lawal Jaafaru Isa.
-Lt col UF Ahmed.
-Lt col MS Dasuki.
-Lt col ML Gwadabe.
-Lt col J. Temlong.
-Lt col Musa Shehu.
-Lt col Chris Eze.
-Lt col HM Dzarma.
-Lt col Isa Jibrin.
-Lt col JOS Oshanupin.
-Lt Col A Oloruntoba(kabiesi Olugbede of Gbede kingdom).
-Lt col Moke.
-Lt col Happy Bulus.
-Lt col Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
-Col J Okai.
-Col E. Ndubueze.
-Lt col Yakubu Muazu.
-Lt col Yahaya Abubakar ( current Etsu Nupe).
-Major Saad Abubakar (current Sultan of Sokoto).
-Maj Abba Maimalari.
-Maj Jamil Tahir.
-Maj Buzugbe.
-Maj LP Aprezi.
-Maj MK Yake.
-Maj J Dawah.
-Maj Suleiman Wali.
-Maj Dauda Komo.
-Maj Lucky Torrie.
-Maj JS Zaruwa.
-Maj M Sumaye.
-Maj Sani Bawa.
-Maj Ndaliman.
Maj Ahmed.
-Maj M Bawa.
-Lt col JB Ahmadu.
-Capt Junaid Bindawa.
-Capt Lar.
I therefore accept this award with all sense of humility on behalf of all these officers and men. Obviously, it goes without saying that this award will be doubly more meaningful if the democracy we all fought for delivers the real dividends.
This can happen only if leaders at all levels govern with the fear of God and in accordance with the tenets of democracy. It remains the hope and prayers of all patriots that nothing is done to derail this infant democracy.
To achieve the stability and progress of our democracy, leaders must prioritise good governance over politicking for self aggrandizement.
The three co-equal branches of government must operate independently while cooperating with each other.
One enduring lesson from the conduct of the officers and men is their decision to operate above sycophancy but to hold their superior officers to account.
Sadly, this does not appear to have a positive impact on our political leaders. Sycophancy everywhere has become the scourge of selfless and accountable leadership. It is the reason for the arrogance and vanity we see in our leaders at all levels. Men of straw are widely and falsely being elevated to the position of icons by self seeking sycophants.
Mr President must lead in a war against sycophancy in all its forms. This must allow for no exceptions including the rapidly growing trend of naming and renaming public institutions, facilities and other infrastructure after a President or State Governor while in office.
The other day, the Senate President was reported to have predicted that President Bola Tinubu would win the 2027 election with 99.9% of the votes! Even allowing for the fact that this Senate President is widely known for his humorous incitement, Mr President will do well to shun such oracles.
God bless Nigeria.
Abubakar Dangiwa Umar,
Colonel (Retd)
Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress, Ali Bukar Dalori, has assumed office as the acting National Chairman of the ruling party.
This came following the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje on Friday.
Ganduje’s resignation, though not officially explained as of press time, reportedly took many by surprise.
A top party official confirmed, “Yes, it is true. He has resigned.”
One source said his resignation may be linked to ongoing permutations around the vice-presidential slot, with increasing pressure to zone it to the North-West, Ganduje’s region.
“If the vice-presidential ticket is retained in the Northwest, the party chairmanship might have to shift elsewhere. Don’t forget, the APC had originally zoned the national chairmanship to the North-Central,” the source said.
Dalori, who holds the northern portfolio, now steps in.
Amid the quiet evacuation of Ganduje’s personal belongings from his office, staff and visitors at the APC national secretariat were left in shock.
As the party prepares to fill the vacancy, insiders say former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, is a leading contender.
“Al-Makura is top of that list, as far as I know,” a source stated.
The Daily Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Eze Anaba, has been re-elected as National President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
He was re-elected at the Biennial National Convention of the Guild currently going on at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Anaba was returned unopposed, a development attributed to his widely acknowledged record of administrative capability.
Also elected at the convention was the Managing Director of The Sun newspaper, Mr. Onuoha Ukoh, who clinched the position of General Secretary with 218 votes.
He defeated his closest rivals – Wole Sogunle and Qasim Akinreti – who polled 45 and 30 votes respectively.
Other elected officers include:
Deputy President: Sabastine Abu (175 votes), defeating Mohammed Sanusi Jubrin.
Vice President, West: Karbi Alabi
Vice Presidents: Hamza Idris and Sheddy Ozoene
Treasurer: Iyobosa Uwugiaren
Assistant Secretary: Gabriel Fulajimi Akinadewo
Publicity Secretary: Charles Kanu
Members elected into the Standing Committee from various zones are: Rose Moses, Ejiro Umukoro, Olabisi Deji-Folutile, Juliet Bumah, Umoru Ibrahim, Paulyn Ugbodaga, Chinedu Max Egere, and Ikpong Essien-Udoh.
The convention, which attracted over 400 editors from across Nigeria, was graced by several notable media veterans and public figures. Among the dignitaries in attendance were founder of Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; ex-NDDC Chairman, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina.
