By Gwurld4026 
Enyinnaya Abaribe’s Bold Stand on June 12 Election
On March 26, 2025, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia South) walked out of a Senate plenary session after his motion to immortalize the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), was rejected. Senator Abaribe proposed the motion under Senate Orders 41 and 51, aiming to honor Professor Nwosu for his role in conducting the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. However, the motion faced opposition and was ultimately turned down during a voice vote presided over by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau.
Expressing his frustration, Senator Abaribe questioned the rejection, stating, “I don’t see what is controversial about immortalizing Humphrey Nwosu. That is our problem—what exactly is controversial about it?” He further emphasized the importance of allowing senators to speak, asserting, “We are not under a dictatorship. A senator must be allowed to speak.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele contended that Senator Abaribe did not follow proper procedure, noting that the timeframe for matters of urgent public importance and personal explanations had elapsed. He suggested that Abaribe could reintroduce the motion formally on the next legislative day through a substantive motion.
In contrast, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP-Kebbi) warned against setting a “dangerous precedent” by restricting when senators could raise personal explanations, arguing that such points could be raised at any time.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau addressed Senator Abaribe directly, pointing out an inconsistency in his approach, stating that Abaribe had initially mentioned Orders 41 and 51 but later referred to Order 42 after the motion was defeated.
The late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who conducted the annulled June 12, 1993, election, served as Chairman of the National Electoral Commission from 1989 to 1993. He passed away on October 24, 2024, at the age of 83, and reports indicate that he will be buried on March 28, 2025.