Senate Rejects Naming INEC HQ After Nwosu

INEC Headquarters Naming Proposal Rejected by Senate

​The Nigerian Senate has rejected a motion to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who chaired the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) and oversaw the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia South) sponsored the motion, emphasizing Nwosu’s role in conducting the 1993 election, often regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest. Abaribe proposed that immortalizing Nwosu would honor his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

However, the motion sparked a heated debate among senators. Critics argued that Nwosu failed to announce the election results and did not sufficiently resist the military’s annulment of the election. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) stated, “If Prof Nwosu had the courage to announce the result, he could have saved history.”

Supporters of the motion contended that Nwosu operated under a military regime, which constrained his actions. Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) noted, “There was no way he would have announced the results with a gun to his head.” ​

Ultimately, when Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau put the motion to a voice vote, it was rejected by the majority. The only concession was a minute’s silence observed in Nwosu’s honor and official condolences extended to his family.

In response, the South East Caucus in the Senate condemned the rejection and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to honor Nwosu by naming the INEC headquarters after him.