Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, a former Chairman of the National Election Commission (now the Independent National Electoral Commission), has passed away at the age of 83.
Nwosu, who oversaw the June 12, 1993 election annulled by former President Ibrahim Babangida, served as Chairman of NEC from 1989 to 1993.
Hailing from the Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nwosu was born on October 2, 1941.
A source close to the family shared, “Yes, Prof died this morning in a hospital in Virginia, USA, after a brief illness. The family will soon issue a statement on it.”
He is remembered for presiding over the June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, in which Chief Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party defeated Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention.
The subsequent annulment of the election led to political turmoil and prolonged military rule until Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Nwosu introduced significant innovations to Nigeria’s electoral process during his tenure, including the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system, which received global recognition.
The House of Representatives had recently called for his immortalization for his role in conducting what is widely considered Nigeria’s most credible election post-independence.
