By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
Chief Simon Okeke, (the Ochendo Amichi), the Ex – Chairman, the Police Service Commission (PSC), has described the denial of honour to late Prof Humphrey Nwosu, the Ex – Chairman, National Electoral Commission (NEC) as an act of injustice and indictment to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Addressing journalists over the weekend in Abuja, Okeke expressed disappointment over the Senate’s decision to reject a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters after late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu. The motion, moved by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the South East Senate Caucus (SESC), aimed to honour Nwosu for conducting the freest and fairest election in 1993.
The Ochendo Amichi, reiterated that the Senate’s rejection is an indictment to Mr Senate President and an act of injustice towards Nwosu, who he believes deserves recognition for his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. He emphasized that Nwosu’s efforts led to the emergence of June 12, which according to him benefited many political actors, including MKO Abiola, who was posthumously awarded the highest national honour, GCFR and his running mate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, who was given the second highest honour of GCON.
Hailing Prof Humphrey Nwosu for building the present INEC Headquarters in Abuja and and bringing it down from Lagos to Nigeria’s centre of unity, the former PSC Chairman urged the President and Senate President to reconsider their decision, stating that “giving honour to whom it is due” is essential for the country’s progress. He argued that the country’s failure to recognize merit has led to having the “wrong people in the right place.”
