Senate Suspends Motion to Immortalise Ex-Electoral Czar Humphrey Nwosu After Rowdy Session

The Senate has suspended a motion to immortalise Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after a rowdy session on Wednesday.

Prof. Nwosu, who passed away in October 2024 at the age of 83 in the United States, had been credited with overseeing Nigeria’s most credible and freest election—the June 12, 1993, presidential election. However, the election was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, preventing the presumed winner, Chief MKO Abiola, from assuming office.

The motion was sponsored by several senators, including Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), and others. Despite Nwosu’s pivotal role in organizing the election, his legacy is seen as divisive, with some viewing him as a hero for conducting the election, while others blame him for not resisting its annulment.

During the plenary session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who was presiding, suspended the motion after most senators present opposed it. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele raised concerns over the lack of copies of the motion for all senators, leading to a delay in its presentation. Once copies were provided, Abaribe sought to present the motion again, but Bamidele continued to object, citing legislative procedure.

The debate escalated, with some senators contending that Nwosu’s role in the annulled election made him a controversial figure, while others defended his actions. Jibrin acknowledged the motion’s divisiveness, stating that it was up to the Senate to decide how to handle differing views on Nwosu’s legacy.

A voice vote was conducted, with most senators opposing the motion. Abaribe later attempted to reintroduce the motion, but a dispute over the legislative procedure ensued, with Bamidele referencing Senate Order 38 to argue against raising the motion at that point.

Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) warned against setting a precedent that could prevent senators from raising important issues, urging the Senate to allow points of order to be raised at any time. Jibrin advised Abaribe to reintroduce the motion after it was reviewed by the Rules and Business Committee, which would take place on the next legislative day.

After the ruling, an visibly upset Abaribe left the chamber, clearly frustrated by the suspension of the motion.