Posthumous recognition: Prof. Nwosu failed Nigerians – Senator Zam

The Senator representing Benue, North-West senatorial district, Titus Zam, has said the late ex-Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, failed in his service to the nation and does not deserve any recognition.

DAILY POST reported that the current Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had while delivering a tribute to late Prof. Nwosu, who was the seventh Chairman of Nigeria's national electoral body, called for a posthumous recognition for him.

Nwosu, who was the Chairman of INEC between 1989 and 1993, passed away in October 2024.

Yakubu emphasized the significant contributions of the late professor to Nigeria's democratic process, pointing out that Nwosu's tenure from 1989 to 1993 is a period marked by innovative electoral reforms, notably the introduction of the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot System.

Apart from Mahmood Yakubu, other well-meaning Nigerians have also called for his posthumous recognition, leading to the Senate debating on the matter.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Zam aired his opinion, saying, “This issue has generated a lot of interest, not just because of the personality involved. It is because INEC being a very critical institution in the promotion advancement of democracy would always attract attention, either for good or bad.

“I want us to situate our debate In the context of national service and intellectual excellence, which Professor Henry is supposed to exemplify.

“Nwosu was a professor of political science, someone who, by training, was supposed to deliver excellent election to Nigeria. Was also appointed for national service from these two backgrounds.

“He did not achieve any of them. They said, to whom, much is given. Much is expected. A professor of political science heading INEC could not deliver result. That is how you can assess him.

“It doesn't matter whether the circumstances were positive or not. If it were not positive for him to do so, he would have resigned. He didn't resign, which means he stood out to do the job. So on that call, he did not succeed.

“Now, national service: when you are called to serve the country, what you are going to do is to go to every extent to defend and deliver your mandate. As far as we are concerned, this gentleman did not conduct himself properly enough to deserve any national recognition. He did not deliver.”