By Gabriel Atumeyi
The leading aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 6, Anambra Governorship election, Engr. Chris Emeka Azubogu has revealed what motivated him to strongly call for the inclusion of former NEC boss, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu in the June 12 Honour list following his unfortunate exclusion from the list.
According to the member representing Nnewi North/ Nnewi South/ Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, his contribution to the motion that sought the recognition of ‘June 12’ as Democracy Day was informed by the need for patriots who, against all odds risked their lives, stood their ground and did what was right for the country to be accorded the honour they deserve.
The Lawmaker who made the call during the life of the 8th Assembly on the floor of the House of Representatives while contributing on the motion recalled:
“My insistence on the inclusion of Prof. Humphrey Nwosu in the June 12 Honour list was a call for an unbiased recognition of all that were involved at critical levels in bringing about the watershed that is today referred to as ‘June 12’. And it is not in doubt that Prof. Humphrey Nwosu rates as one of the best electoral umpires Nigeria has had”, Azubogu stated.
He explained that ‘June 12’ is not just about a person or group but the commitment of a people to take charge of the democratization processes of their country, stressing that not adding Prof. Humphrey Nwosu to the list makes it incomplete.
- Nwosu
Prof. Humphrey Nwosu who hails from Ajalli in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State was a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and also the Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) that conducted the June 12, 1993 election involving the National Republican Convention (NRC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“It will be recalled that the result of the poll widely regarded as Nigeria’s best and which was to produced MKO Abiola as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigerian, in what we refer to today as ‘June 12’ was annulled at the conclusion stages following the abortion of the Third Republic by the then military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida”.