A motion to immortalize Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), has been fiercely challenged by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who maintains that he let the country down in the crucial June 12, 1993, presidential election.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Speaking on the Senate floor, Oshiomhole criticized the motion, which was sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and supported by some Igbo senators, describing it as an attempt to distort history.
“I have read through this motion, and I must say it is manipulating the truth. June 12 became significant because Nigerians, seeing the election results at different levels, knew who had won. However, the Chief Electoral Officer failed to announce the final outcome, leading to the crisis that followed,” Oshiomhole stated.
He emphasized that President Muhammadu Buhari had already settled the matter by officially recognizing MKO Abiola as the rightful winner of the election. He questioned why Nwosu did not announce the results when it mattered most, arguing that courage is a defining trait of true democratic heroes.
“Nwosu’s failure to declare the winner, whether due to military threats or personal fear, robbed Nigeria of a smooth democratic transition. If he was truly committed to democracy, he should have spoken up, even after the return to civilian rule,” he added.
Oshiomhole also accused Abaribe and his supporters of being mischievous by attempting to rewrite history. “National honors should be given to those who stood firm for democracy, not to those who faltered at the most critical moment. Nwosu had the chance to make history, but he chose to step back. We must not distort facts to suit personal or regional sentiments,” he concluded.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
