Prof. Nwosu failed Nigerians, he shouldn't be rewarded.–Oshiomhole
Senator Adams Oshiomhole disagrees with the notion of giving the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) a posthumous recognition. He established his opinion by stating that Professor Humphrey Nwosu failed Nigerians by not officially declaring the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
He stated this on Thursday, while speaking during a senate debate. Oshiomhole, who represented Edo North accused Nwosu and former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida of deception in the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
“Professor Nwosu and President Babangida fooled the 18 million Nigerians who voted,” Oshiomhole said. “If he was afraid of the gun because we were under a dictatorship, some people might say, ‘Well, there were Nigerians who protested under the gun without minding the consequences.’”
He also admonished that Nwosu had the chance to set the record straight after Nigerian becomes democratic, however, he failed to do so.
“After the end of Babangida’s tenure, the death of Abiola, and the birth of the new democracy that produced President Obasanjo, I would have expected Nwosu to say—either on his birthday or on a special occasion—‘I couldn’t declare these numbers then, but now, on my record, Abiola won this election. I just wasn’t able to announce it,’” he said.
“He died without confession; he cannot be rewarded,” Oshiomhole added, insisting that history should not be distorted to honor Nwosu.
Oshiomhole stated this during a deliberations on a motion that seeks to recognize Nwosu’s role in Nigeria’s democracy, which was sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South). Oshiomhole remained steady fast in his view as he maintained that Nwosu would have announced Abiola’s victory despite the risks, and since Nwosu failed to do so, he should not be celebrated.
