Senate Rejects Proposal To Rename INEC Headquarters After Humphrey Nwosu

The Senate has rejected a motion proposing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters be renamed after the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.

Humphrey Nwosu was the former chairman of the now-defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), who oversaw the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe reintroduced the motion on Thursday after it was previously dismissed by lawmakers a day earlier.

He urged the Senate to recognize Nwosu’s role in shaping Nigeria’s democracy by conferring a posthumous national honor on him.

However, the proposal reignited a heated debate, with senators sharply divided over Nwosu’s legacy.

Senator Osita Ngwu defended Nwosu, noting that he operated under a military government that prevented him from announcing the 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.

Senator Austin Akobundu criticized the outright dismissal of Nwosu’s contributions, insisting he deserved national recognition for his service.

Others opposed the motion, with Senator Jimoh Ibrahim rejecting the idea, arguing that Nwosu should not be honored since he failed to declare the election results.

“Nothing should be named after him,” he stated.

Senator Cyril Fasuyi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that history only 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 said.

Senator Sunday Karimi also criticized Nwosu for not speaking out, while Senator Afolabi Salisu warned that immortalizing him could diminish the legacy of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled election.

“Any attempt to do anything beyond a one-minute silence is to rubbish Abiola’s legacy,” he cautioned.

Following intense deliberations, the majority of senators rejected the motion through a voice vote.

They agreed only to observe a one-minute silence in Humphrey Nwosu’s honor and send condolences to his family, effectively ruling out any further recognition.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Senate recently passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership despite the sexual allegations by Senator Natasha Akpoti.