Former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana, and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, have called on the Federal Government to immortalise former Chairman of National Electoral Commission (NEC), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.
The duo spoke at an event in honour of Prof. Nwosu at the Sheu Musa Yar’adua centre, Abuja on Tuesday.
Prof. Gana who served as Director General of Mass Mobilisation for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery ( MAMSER) in the General Ibrahim Babangida administration that annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election conducted by Nwosu, said the Option A4 adopted by the commission then brought credibility to the election.
He regretted that while Moshood Abiola, the winner of the election, was honoured posthumously, the man who superintended the process was ignored.
Gana expressed concern at the growing despondency towards the electoral process, and appealed to the present administration to immortalise the late Chairman of the defunct NEC to encourage patriotism in the country.
“Elections are central to the credibility of democracy. If the process was rigged, democracy is on the way out. If you want to build democracy, take interest in the credibility of elections,” he advised.
Jega, on his part, described the late NEC Chairman as a man of honour who brought integrity to Nigeria’s electoral process.
The former INEC Chairman who was also the Chairman of the occasion, said Nwosu was his mentor and senior colleague “who did great, commendable work for democratic governance.”
According to him, there were skepticisms within the academic community when Nwosu was appointed NEC Chairman, because “we have seen loss of intellectual integrity by academics and the way some of us were pandering to the military.
He however stated that Prof. Nwosu “did his job with the seriousness it deserved with the passion and what he did has brought integrity to election in country such as ours to ensure that popular will prevail; leadership brought value to INEC.
“I gained a lot from him, and his contributions helped us in adding value to elections.
“I consider his contributions and courage to withstand the intrigues of the military at that time, deserved to be recognised in our country.
“We need such men in public service, men with courage and conviction to add value to our country,” Jega demanded.
