June 12: Igbo Group Slams FG for Ignoring Humphrey Nwosu’s Legacy

An Igbo socio-cultural group, the Ndigbo Cultural Development Organization (NIDO), has criticized the Federal Government for continuously commemorating June 12 Democracy Day without acknowledging the contributions of the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC).

In a statement issued from Umuahia and signed by Don Afuluike, NIDO’s Director of Communications and Information, the group emphasized that the landmark events of June 12, 1993, would not have occurred without the pivotal role played by Professor Nwosu.

The group lamented that many key figures, including Nwosu, who made personal sacrifices for the restoration of democratic governance, remain unrecognized by successive administrations.

“As the nation marks Democracy Day, it should serve as a moment to critically assess both the progress and setbacks of our democratic journey,” the statement noted. “Since the return to civilian rule, Nigeria has conducted seven general elections — in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 — each under different electoral leadership. Yet, when evaluated, each election seems to reveal more flaws than the last.”

NIDO further pointed out that ongoing calls for electoral reforms and frequent amendments to the Electoral Act highlight deep-rooted issues within Nigeria’s democratic process, undermining public trust and effective governance.

They described as glaring injustice the failure to name any national monument or institution after Professor Nwosu, the architect of the “Option A4” voting system — a process widely regarded as Nigeria’s most transparent electoral method to date.

The group also appealed to the Anambra State Government, Nwosu’s home state, to honour him by naming a significant public structure after him. They warned that continued neglect of Nwosu’s legacy could discourage future Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials from acting with integrity and patriotism.