House of Representatives have called on President Bola Tinubu to name the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, building after Professor Humphrey Nwosu.
According to the Reps, the gesture is to immortalize the former Chairman of the National Electtoral Commission, NEC, now Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Humphrey Nwosu for his conduct of the June 12, 1993 election adjudged as the most credible election held in post-independent Nigeria.
Recall that Prof. Nwosu oversaw the election that would have produced Chief MKO Abiola, as the President of Nigeria in 1993. Abiola was the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party.
However, the exercise was suspended at the point of announcing the winner of the election. The election was later annulled by the then military dictator, Military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (retd.).
The resolution of the legislative chamber came on the heels of the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by Peter Uzokwe and Nnabuife Clara. Both legislatures are members representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo and Orumba North/Orumba South Federal Constituencies of Anambra State respectively.
Leading the debate, Uzokwe said, “The House is cognizant of various efforts made by the previous administrations to immortalize those who fought for democracy, of which we are all beneficiaries.
“The House also notes that an edifice (the Abuja Stadium) was named after the winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Moshood Abiola, by His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).
“The House further notes that His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari demonstrated an honest remorsefulness of the injustice of June 12, 1993, by changing Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12, which was celebrated with all sense of pride in 2024 by His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR, who was part of the struggle of June 12, 1993.
“This House is worried about the continued neglect of Professor Humphrey Nwosu. Who put his life on the line to see that justice was not only done, but seen to have been done.
“This House is concerned that the National Anthem was changed. And we all pray to God to help us build a nation where no man is oppressed. Yet, Prof Humphrey Nwosu is still not celebrated while he is alive.”
“The House is aware of many edifices named after our heroes past. Like Louis Edet House for Police, Michael Imodu for Labour, Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Murtala Muhammed Airport and M.K.O Abiola Stadium, etc.
“The House is disturbed that not even a road is not named after this hero of our democracy to date.”
In its resolution, therefore, the House urged the Federal Government to immortalize Nwosu. The Reps maintained that the Prof should be conferred with a national honours now that he is still alive.
The lawmakers also urged President Tinubu to name the INEC headquarters after Professor Nwosu. They also urged the Government to always and Professor Nwosu to every Democracy Day celebration in the country.
source: PUNCH
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
