A group under the umbrella of Ndigbo Cultural Development Organization (NIDO) has strongly criticised the Federal Government for sidelining one of the key figures behind Nigeria’s most historic election.
They argue that continuing to celebrate June 12 Democracy Day without honouring the former Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, amounts to a clear injustice against the Igbo people.
In a statement released from Umuahia and signed by Don Afuluike, NIDO’s Director of Communications and Information, the group described Professor Nwosu’s role in 1993 as central to the birth of June 12. According to them, the widely praised election wouldn’t have been possible without his bold and independent actions.
NIDO expressed disappointment that Nwosu, alongside other key Nigerians who contributed to Nigeria’s democratic journey, remains unrecognised by the government.
“As Nigeria observes the day, it is an opportunity to reflect on the gains and pains of today’s democratic governance riding on the back of seven successive national elections in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 under different electoral umpires.
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“Without doubt, a review of each of these elections only leads to an assessment of which is worse than the other in terms of all known indices of assessment of elections.
“The consistent clamour for electoral reforms till date and now periodic amendments to the Electoral Act depicts a sick electoral system which negatively impacts governance at different levels and resulting in growing discontent and lack of trust in Nigeria’s elections and democracy.”
They also criticised the failure to name any federal landmark after Professor Nwosu, who introduced “Option A4,” which they described as Nigeria’s most transparent electoral system to date.
The group called on the Anambra State Government to take the lead by naming a prominent public building or institution after Nwosu. They warned that neglecting to do so could demoralise future electoral officials and dampen patriotic service.