Prof. Utomi, Obi Mourn Humphrey Nwosu, Mastermind Of Option A4 1993 Most Credible Election

Prof Pat Utomi and Peter Obi have expressed shock over the demise of Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, a former chairman of electoral umpire, National Electoral Commission (NEC).

Prof. Nwosu presided over the widely acclaimed most transparent and credible election of 1993 with his model known as Option A4 voting process.

Both Prof. Utomi and Obi respectively noted his transparent disposition in the conduct of the June 12, 1993 election which produced Chief M. K. O Abiola as the winner of the presidential election but annulled by the then military junta led by Gen. Ibrahim B. Babangida.

While describing him as “a true Democrat”, Obi posted in his X handle saying:

” In Prof Nwosu, A True Democrat Exits.

“I have just received the sad news of the death of the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, NEC, Prof Humphrey Nwosu.

“Prof Nwosu was a true Democrat, an outstanding academician whose love for democracy and its values was copiously demonstrated in the way and manner he carried out his responsibilities as an electoral umpire between 1989 to 1993.

“His courageous defense of democratic principles, even under a non-democratic government, put him out as a man who was ready even to sacrifice his life for the sake of democracy and good governance.

“For his pivotal role in holding and upholding the 1993 presidential elections, Prof Nwosu’s name will remain indelible in the history of Nigerian democracy. He stood for the truth In Nigeria for standing for the truth and the best tenets of democracy when it was delicate and even dangerous to do so.

“It’s, however, disheartening to note that what Prof Nwosu did when the nation’s electoral commission was not even legally independent and when billions of taxpayers’ money were not deployed as it is today with an accompanying updated technology could not be repeated in contemporary times in a supposed full democratic system.

“As an academic, Prof Nwosu brought to bear all the principles he taught in the classroom as an erudite professor of Political Science, unlike these days when professors are procured to aid electoral malpractices, including announcing results of elections they did not verify.

“For the new Nigeria we desire, the country needs more of Professor Nwosu, who will risk their lives for democracy.

“I pray God to forgive his shortcomings while on earth, grant his soul eternal repose, and his family and all lovers of democracy who mourn him the gratitude to bear the huge loss.

May God Almighty grant Nigeria the likes of Professor Humphrey Nwosu in her future elections.
A new Nigeria is indeed POssible. -PO”

On his part, Prof. Utomi wrote:
“My teacher, my friend. Prof Humphrey Nwosu. Was still tracking him for some cross referencing on a book project when at an event in Houston tonight I heard of his passing.

“Most will remember him for conducting the option A4 elections of June 12 1993. But I will always think of him as that teacher and friend whose first Public Administration class at UNN on his return from his PhD at Berkeley in October 1973.

“My roommate now of blessed memory, Dr Chike Anigbo, was sometimes amused by my admiration of the mint fresh lecturer, but we both regarded him highly. Thank God for the impact of his watch. May God’s Angels escort him into paradise.”