Okorie, The Patriots, others mourn June 12 election umpire, Nwosu

It was another painful moment for the Igbo, yesterday, as the pangs of death again took one of its finest, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu. Nwosu died in a hospital in Virginia, United States (U.S.) at the age of 84.

Nwosu, a former Political Science teacher at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) born in Ajalli, Orumba North Local Council of Anambra State, was National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) between 1989 and 1993.

The presidential election was won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola, popularly known as MKO, who flew the flag of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Abiola defeated Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in Nigeria’s freest election till date though the result was not declared.

This is as a result of the order by the Ibrahim Babangida-led military administration, which ordered a halt in further announcement of results; a development that threw the country into crisis as Abiola who claimed victory began the struggle to recover his mandate. It was the struggle that manifested in today’s June 12 as democracy day and the posthumous awards accorded by the presidency to the protagonist of that struggle, Chief Abiola

Meanwhile, an Igbo leader, Chekwas Okorie, has mourned his passage, saying: “What I will say is that Prof. Nwosu is a big Iroko that has fallen and Nigeria as a country should mourn him properly just like we are mourning him in the Southeast. He was an illustrious son, one of the most principled personalities that have served in the public space, who stood to his oath of office and took risks.

“He was never given the type of recognition and accolade that he deserved, making so many people think that when an Igboman has achieved a certain level of merit, the way he is rewarded is demeaning.”

Also, Emeritus National President, aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazuruike, said Nwosu saw his opportunity to serve humanity, and the nation at large and never wasted it.

For the Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Ibuchukwu Ezike, Nwosu’s legacy should serve as a lesson to the current leadership of the electoral umpire.

Meanwhile, The Patriots, a socio-political organisation, has expressed deep sadness over the passing of Nwosu. General Secretary of the group, Olawale Okunniyi, described Nwosu’s demise as the end of a very eventful electoral era. Also, a former Senator, who represented Kaduna Central in the Eighth National Assembly, Shehu Sani, expressed sadness over the demise of Nwosu.