Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Five Governors of the South-East have resolved to meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to request a befitting national honour for late former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, Professor Humphrey Nwosu.
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, disclosed this during the funeral of Nwosu in his hometown, Ajalli in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Nwosu, who conducted the June 12, 1993, election annulled by former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, passed away in a United States hospital on October 24, 2024, aged 83.
He was buried on Friday amidst encomiums from governors and other notable dignitaries.
Prior to his burial, the Senate had rejected a motion by Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe seeking to immortalise Nwosu. It only agreed to honour his death by observing a minute silence — a stance that led to a heated argument and the walkout of South-East senators.
Speaking during the funeral, Soludo said, “We must learn to change our style and devise a style of dialogue to get what we need from the government at the centre and not through fighting and attacks.
“For us in Anambra and the Old Aguata Union, made up of the forty-five communities in the three local government areas, we shall honour and celebrate our son.
“After the funeral we the South-East governors would meet with the President over the National honour to our brother and we are sure that he will grant us that request.”
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who represented President Tinubu, said the country is celebrating Nwosu for his profound contributions to Nigerian democracy, adding that the President has so much respect and value for him.
Umahi said, “Mr President has so much value for our brother Prof. Humphrey Nwosu and in his massage we are celebrating him for his profound contributions to the Nigeria democracy and we shall continue to cherish him and his achievements.
“This is because he played very vital roles in the involvement of Nigeria’s democracy and governance and while we were here the Secretary to the Government of the Federation called to ask how we are and he told me that the family made two requests and after discussions, it would be granted and when that is done I will communicate to your Governor about the outcome.”
Also speaking, the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, observed that Nigeria is celebrating an icon of modern democracy who contributed immensely to the nation’s development.
Otti said, “Nigeria is celebrating an icon of our democracy and that is why I came to join my brother Professor Chukwuma Soludo to honour this great Nigerian who wrote his name in the sand of time and I pray that at the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, it would be a triumph for our brother Late Prof Humphrey Nwosu.”
