Col Umar: How Prof Nwosu Risked His Life In Fight To Announce Abiola President

By Adesina Soyooye

One of the those who should know has revealed how Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, NEC, fought to stop the cancellation of the June 12 Presidential Election.

Professor Nwosu, who passed on October 23, 2024, conducted the Presidential Election between Chief MKO Abiola of  the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the NRC. The Election, generally considered to be very free and fair was cancelled by the Military regime headed by General Ibrahim Babangida just when Abiola, who defeated Tofa even in the NRC Candidate’s  home State, Kano, was about to be announced the winner of the  when the unexpected happened. Results from most States had been declared. Abiola was in a very comfortable lead when the collation of results was suspended.  And it was eventually cancelled on June 26.

Nwosu passed on in a Virginia, USA, Hospital without telling his story. But in his tribute to Nwosu, a former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, Rtd., revealed how Nwosu fought, at the risk of losing his own life, to announce the result of that Election.

Umar said he was a witness to Professor Nwosu’s vehement disagreement with the Military authorities then in his relentless effort to announce the result.  Umar said Nwosu watched helplessly as his efforts were consigned to the dustbin of history.

Sadly, Nwosu died without being honoured or recognised for his sacrifices to democracy and his country.

Following is Col Abubakar Umar’s Tribute to Professor Nwosu on his death.

Tribute to Professor Humphrey Nwosu

“I received the painful news of the passing of Professor Humphrey Nwosu.

“I met Prof Nwosu at the Presidential villa, Aso Rock, Abuja during the June 12 Presidential election crisis. I found him to be an honest,dutiful and self-effacing INEC Chairman.

“He supervised the conduct of the freest and fairest Presidential election on June 12,1993 and fought tenaciously and valiantly to avert the annulment of the results of that election even at the risk of his life.

“He lost that battle and watched helplessly as his work was trashed on 26 June,1993 when the military annulled the election results.

“I bear witness that Professor Nwosu vehemently disagreed with that decision and honourably retired in protest.

“Nigeria has lost a great citizen,an intellectual giant,an honest and dedicated public servant.

“May God have mercy on his soul. May He grant the family the fortitude to bear his loss.”

Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd), Kaduna
26 October 2024