By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
Prof. ABC Nwosu, a former Minister of Health and Special Adviser to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has spoken out against Nigerian Senate’s decision to reject a posthumous honour for Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), stating that they “erred” and did Prof. Nwosu “wrong” by rejecting to give him the honour.
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The Senate’s decision has not only sparked outrage but also met with widespread criticism and condemnation from Nigerians and beyond.
The elder statesman, Prof ABC Nwosu addressed journalists recently in Abuja.
Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, according to him played a crucial role in Nigeria’s democratic history, overseeing the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as the most credible election in Nigeria’s history. Despite this, he went on, the Senate’s decision has been seen as a snub to his legacy.
The Senate’s rejection of the motion to honour Prof. Nwosu has been condemned by various groups, including the Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, describing the Senate’s action as “unpatriotic” and a continuation of systemic marginalization against the Igbo people.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who sponsored the motion to honour Prof. Nwosu, expressed his disappointment at the Senate’s decision, stating that Prof. Nwosu laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s current democracy. He emphasized that the government’s failure to honour Prof. Nwosu would not be forgotten and that another government would eventually recognize his contributions.
The controversy surrounding the Senate’s decision has highlighted the ongoing debate about Nigeria’s democratic history and the recognition of key figures who have contributed to the country’s development. As the debate continues, many are left wondering what this decision means for Nigeria’s future and its commitment to honouring its democratic heroes.
