The Senate on Wednesday rejected a motion to immortalise the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), late Humphrey Nwosu, who oversaw the conduct of the annulled 1993 presidential elections,
The motion was introduced by Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA), representing Abia South, but it faced opposition during the session presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau.
Sen. Abaribe expressed his frustration at the rejection, questioning the reasoning behind the motion being deemed controversial.
“Mr. President, I don’t see what is controversial about immortalising Humphrey Nwosu. That is our problem—what exactly is controversial about it?” he queried.
However, Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, argued that Sen. Abaribe did not adhere to the proper procedure, having failed to reference the relevant Senate order within the established timeframe.
Sen. Bamidele clarified that Sen. Abaribe would need to formally reintroduce the motion on the next legislative day.
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“Mr. President, we had already passed the relevant points in our order of the day. Matters of urgent public importance and personal explanations have a specific timeframe, which has already elapsed,” Sen. Bamidele explained.
In defense of Sen. Abaribe, Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi from the PDP representing Kebbi, cautioned against establishing a “dangerous precedent” by limiting when senators could raise personal explanations.
He emphasized the importance of allowing senators to interject as necessary.
However, Sen. Barau pointed out an inconsistency in Sen. Abaribe’s approach, noting that he initially referenced Orders 41 and 51, but later attempted to invoke Order 42 after the motion’s defeat.
Humphrey Nwosu, who oversaw the annulled June 12, 1993, general elections, served as the National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairman from 1989 to 1993.
He passed away on October 24, 2024, at the age of 83, and is scheduled to be buried on March 28, 2025.
