.As senators split over how to honour him
.Observe a minute silence
.Bill for voting same day for all elective offices passes 2nd reading
Ignatius Okorocha, Abuja
Barely 24 hours before the burial of former chairman, National Electoral Commission (NEC),Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Senators from the South East geopolitical zone have asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immortalize him.
This is even as motion for immortalization of the foremost INEC chairman created rowdy session at the floor of Senate on Thursday.
The South East senators had walked out of the chamber in protest for the failure of the Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s key prayers to scale through at the plenary.
Abaribe in his motion which was supported by all senators from the South-east, as well as senate Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro, Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta ) and Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi) among others, had
urged the Senate to immortalise the late Nwosu by naming the INEC after him and to posthumously honour him with a national award.
“Extend official condolences to his family in recognition of their sacrifice in supporting his work for a better Nigeria”.
“Mr President, I propose that we observe a minute of silence in honour of Prof. Nwosu, given that his burial is tomorrow (Friday)”.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, put the prayers to a voice vote but was greeted with a resounding ‘Nay’ by some of the senators.
The only prayer that was observed was a minute silence for the deceased Nwosu.
Earlier, in the motion, Abaribe had acknowledged that the late Prof. Nwosu was the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) from 1989 to 1999.
“He was responsible for supervising the 1993 presidential election.
“We recognise that his courageous defense of the democratic electoral process during the 1993 elections led to the famous June 12 event, which ultimately confirmed MKO Abiola as the winner.
“His unwavering commitment to electoral integrity played a key role in establishing June 12 as Nigeria’s official Democracy Day.
“Additionally, we note that Nwosu laid a strong foundation for the present-day Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Sadly, he passed away on Oct. 20, 2024, at the age of 83 and will be buried tomorrow (Friday) in his hometown in Anambra”.
In seconding the motion, Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central said,” when a man lives this world and makes an impact and when he departs, his departure should be marked ….
“Prof Humphrey Nwosu is not an ordinary person in Nigeria. As the motion in capsulated, he was the chairman of National Electoral Commission (NEC) and for five years under the military regime of President Badamosi Ibrahim Babangida.
“He midwife the return of democracy to Nigeria through that period and when he was appointed he started with putting in place democratic structure with the promise made by Babangida that he will exit by August 1993.
” He set out to conduct all the elections ranging from House of Assembly, governorship, National Assembly elections successfully using his designed option A4 which made it possible for people to line behind others and those elections he conducted besides June 12 election.”
Continuing Umeh said,”There were no litigations after the declaration of almost all the results. So, the country enjoyed his stewardship. Then came the presidential election.
“He prepared for the presidential election and the date was fixed for June 12, 1993, and that would have been his greatest service to this nation if he had conducted the presidential election and declared the results. He was on it until June 12, and he was summoned by the then military head of state and asked to halt the conduct of the election the next day .”
He asked the Senate to immortalize Prof Humphrey Nwosu for laying the foundation of democracy.
In his contribution,Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) said: “The election that was conducted on June 12, Nigerians were really in pain because nobody was able to quote where Prof. Nwosu announced the results.
“We cannot distort history in this unit. We must be seen to have sentiments that reflect the average feeling of the average Nigerian.
“Prof. Nwosu, when it mattered most, his courage failed him”.
Sen. Osita Ngwu defended Nwosu, stating that he operated under military constraints and had no choice but to halt the announcement of 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 argued.
Sen. Cyril Fasuyi argued that history rewards results, not efforts. “As long as he did not announce the result, whether under duress or not, I am against naming INEC headquarters after him,” he submitted.
Sen. Solomon Olamilekan (APC, ogun west) said, This is one issue I have tried as much as possible to avoid. It reminds me of a very sad memory. And I’m speaking not along party line or ethnic or whatsoever
“As a result of the action and inaction that Professor Humphrey Nwosu, I lost my immediate junior brother. He died right behind me for him refusing to carry out his duty as INEC chairman.
“Many of my colleagues have stood up here and said he conducted the free and fairest election. There are three different meanings and three different expectations that we should look at – conducting election, releasing result, and announcing result. you and I know, releasing result is not the same thing as announcing results. It failed at a critical moment.
“Till date, we celebrate the Abiola or those people who have contributed to the success of each one because they lived their life, they put their life on the line.
Prof. Humphrey Nwosu with due respect to him does not deserve to be immortalised as one of the very few Nigerians that have done the right thing.”
Sen. Osita Izunaso (APC-Imo) said: “Mr President, it is important that we will not sit here to distort history. We are legislators, and we are representing the people.
“Get a cross section of Nigerians and ask them what they think about Prof. Nwosu, they will tell you he was a hero.
“So for us to sit here now and begin to distort history is not fair for our democracy”.
In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, commended his colleagues on the manner the debate was conducted
“You did very well. You martialed out your points. You said your views. And no rancour at all. And this is how debate should be in an August institution like the Senate.
“I subscribe to all these. I have my view. But I try not to be partial. I believe in June 12,” he said.
Meanwhile, the South East caucus in the Senate while briefing a Senate Press Corps called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immortalize Prof Humphrey Nwosu for conducting the most credible and freest election that led to the return of democracy in the country.
According to the group Prof Nwosu deserves a posthumous honour for his courage in conducting a election that was adjusted the most credible in the history of Nigeria.
.Bill for voting same day for all elective offices passes 2nd reading
In another development, the senate on Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to reduce election costs and introduce same-day voting for all elective offices in Nigeria.
The Bill Titled “Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025”, sponsored by Sen. Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central) and was first read on February 12, 2025.
Leading the debate during Thursday’s plenary, Mustapha underscored the urgent need for electoral reforms, highlighting the rising financial burden of elections in Nigeria.
He said, “The cost of general elections in Nigeria has risen astronomically, from N1.5 billion in 1999 to N350 billion in 2023. This exponential increase is unsustainable and undermines the democratic process.”
According to the sponsor, the bill proposes the following key amendments:Same-day elections for all offices – The bill seeks to mandate the conduct of presidential, governorship, national assembly, and state assembly elections on the same day. Mustapha argued that this would significantly reduce election expenses, enhance voter turnout, and minimise logistical challenges.
Shorter campaign periods – To ease financial pressures on political parties, candidates, and the government, the bill proposes a reduction in the duration of election campaigns.
“A shorter campaign period will limit excessive spending and help political actors focus on governance rather than prolonged electioneering,” Mustapha noted.
Ad hoc delegate rights for elected officials – The bill seeks to grant the President, Vice President, Governors, and National Assembly members the right to serve as ad hoc delegates in their party’s conventions. Mustapha described the current exclusion of elected officials from party decision-making processes as unfair and counterproductive.
Overall cost reduction – By implementing same-day elections and other cost-saving measures, Mustapha argued that Nigeria could redirect billions of naira toward critical infrastructure projects and governance improvements.
Citing successful models from democracies such as the United States, India, and Brazil, Mustapha urged his colleagues to support the bill, stressing that same-day elections have proven effective in reducing costs and improving electoral efficiency.
“Nigeria must adopt a similar approach to save funds that can be redirected to critical infrastructure projects,” he stated.
While the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act received strong backing from several lawmakers, some senators expressed reservations about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ability to conduct nationwide elections in a single day.
In his contribution,Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) cautioned against hastily implementing the reform without ensuring INEC’s readiness.
“The bill has good intentions, but we must ask: Is INEC equipped to conduct all elections in one day?” Oshiomhole queried.
He further raised concerns about the potential logistical challenges, particularly for voters with limited literacy.
“We must also consider the confusion that multiple ballot papers could create, especially for illiterate voters,” he added.
Following deliberations, the bill was referred to the senate committee on electoral matters for further legislative scrutiny, with a report expected in four weeks.
