Mathew Amaechi
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has praised President Bola Tinubu for conferring a posthumous honour on Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission during the June 12, 1993, presidential election. The group has also requested that the Independent National Electoral Commission Headquarters be named after Nwosu in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy.
The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, described the honouring of Nwosu as a welcome development, although belated. “The idea of honouring him is welcomed, though it is late, but at least we appreciate the fact that he has been honoured,” Chukwu said.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appealed to the Federal Government to name the INEC Headquarters after Nwosu, citing his crucial role in Nigeria’s democracy during the military era. “It is also our desire that INEC Headquarters should be named after Prof Humphrey Nwosu for the virtue of his role in Nigeria’s democracy during the military,” Chukwu stated.
The group also expressed concerns about the state of the Nigerian economy, noting that despite reforms, economic hardship persists. Chukwu emphasized the need for the Federal Government to revisit its economic policies to address challenges such as inflation, high exchange rates, and the cost of living.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo advocated for restructuring Nigeria to alleviate hardship and poverty. Chukwu stressed that without restructuring, it would be difficult to fix both the economy and insecurity. “There is need for the Federal Government to take concrete steps towards reinventing the economy… If the country is restructured, there will be healthy competition among various federating units,” he said.
The honouring of Prof. Humphrey Nwosu is a significant recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s call for naming the INEC Headquarters after him serves as a reminder of his crucial role in the country’s electoral history. The group’s concerns about the economy and call for restructuring highlight the need for comprehensive reforms to address the challenges facing Nigeria.