Apex Igbo Socio-cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that Senate’s opposition to Immortalise the former National Electoral commission Chairman, NEC, Professor Humphrey Nwosu confirmed that the Nigeria civil war against lgbo not yet over.
Ohanaeze stated that it condemned the actions of the 10th Senate saying that the institution is now characterized by unpatriotic behaviors that reinforce the notion of an ongoing civil war against the Igbo people.
According to Ohanaeze, In a grievous affront to justice and historical acknowledgment, the Senate has chosen to reject the posthumous honor due to Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the esteemed former Chief Electoral Umpire and National Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (now referred to as INEC).
In a statement issued on Friday by its factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro stated that Nwosu’s stewardship in the June 12, 1993 elections was unparalleled, as he orchestrated what remains the most credible, transparent, and peaceful electoral process in Nigeria’s history.
The statement emphasized that it was during these elections that Chief Moshood Abiola emerged as the acclaimed victor, a truth subsequently recognized by both former President Muhammadu Buhari and the current President Bola Tinubu, who proclaimed June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria.
It read” To honour Chief Abiola while neglecting Professor Nwosu is not merely hypocritical; it is an act that perpetuates the systemic marginalization of the Igbo nation and reinforces the oppressive cycles that began with the events of 1966.
“The decision to dismiss Professor Nwosu’s legacy and contributions signifies more than an oversight; it unveils a troubling hierarchy of hypocrisy calculated to undermine the fabric of our nation.
“The continued refusal to acknowledge the sacrifices made by Professor Nwosu and others like him is an affront to the ideals of democracy and unity.
“Such actions echo the sentiments of a civil war still unresolved, one that is waged in the halls of power rather than on the battlefield.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to the Southeast senators and their allies who demonstrated integrity and courage by staging a walkout on March 27, 2027, in protest of the Senate’s decision to truncate the bill that sought to enshrine Professor Nwosu’s legacy by renaming the INEC headquarters after him.
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“Their actions reflect a principled stance for justice, a commendable effort to combat the growing perception that the Senate operates outside the interests of democracy and the Nigerian people.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that the 10th Senate has long abdicated its moral authority and jurisdiction over the public recognition of its historical figures.
“The responsibility to honor such icons falls squarely upon the Executive. Thus, we urgently call upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our Southeast governors to rise above partisan politics and collectively resolve to immortalize Professor Humphrey Nwosu.
“This crucial act would not only restore the integrity of our political landscape but also reaffirm our shared narrative—a narrative that recognizes the contributions of all who have fought and sacrificed for the democratic ideals we cherish.
The lgbo body maintained that the immortalization of Professor Nwosu is not merely a tribute to one individual’s legacy but a necessary correction toward healing the historical divides that continue to plague our nation.
“It is a powerful statement of unity and resilience against the forces that have sought to silence the Igbo voice. We invite all Nigerians to join us in this noble cause, as we demand acknowledgment of our history and the valiant efforts of those who paved the way for our democracy.
