On June 12, 1993, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, then Chairman of Nigeria’s National Electoral Commission (NEC), oversaw what is widely regarded as the country’s freest and fairest election. The presidential poll, conducted under his leadership, introduced innovative electoral methods such as the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system, which enhanced transparency by announcing results directly at polling units.
The election saw Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola emerge as the apparent winner, defeating his opponent Bashir Tofa. However, the military regime led by General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election, plunging Nigeria into political crisis. Despite Nwosu’s efforts to release election results, he was ordered to halt further announcements by the military government.
Professor Nwosu, a political science scholar and civil servant, passed away in October 2024 in Virginia, USA, at age 83. Despite his pivotal role in Nigeria’s democratic history, the Federal Government has yet to officially honour him for his contribution to the nation’s electoral process and democracy.
His legacy remains a cornerstone in Nigeria’s political evolution, with June 12 now commemorated as Democracy Day in recognition of the election’s significance. Yet, calls persist for the government to formally acknowledge and celebrate Nwosu’s critical role in conducting the landmark election that many Nigerians still view as a beacon of electoral integrity.
