Ex-Nigeria’s Electoral Commission Chairman Humphrey Nwosu Dies At 83

October 24, (THEWILL) – A former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Professor Humphrey Nwosu, is dead.

THEWILL reports that Nwosu, who chaired the NEC between 1989 and 1993, died in a Virginia hospital in the United States, at the age of 83.

Instrumental in organising Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993 election, Prof. Nwosu was appointed by former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, to oversee Nigeria’s elections transition to democracy.

Born on October 2, 1941, Nwosu’s leadership at the NEC, now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), introduced the innovative Option A4 and Open Ballot voting systems. These reforms were aimed at enhancing transparency and credibility in the electoral process.

His effort to ensure a free and fair transition to democracy was, however, halted by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, widely claimed to have been won by late Chief Moshood Abiola.

In July 2024, the Nigerian House of Representatives called on President Bola Tinubu to immortalise Nwosu for his role in conducting what is still considered Nigeria’s most credible election since independence.