The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has slammed the Nigerian Senate over its failure to recognise and honour the efforts of the late Humphrey Nwosu, a former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission.
In a statement issued on Friday, March 28, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Deputy President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group accused the 10th Senate of showcasing a behaviour that reinforces the notion that the civil war against the Igbo people is still ongoing.
Isiguzoro’s statement comes barely 24 hours after some senators of the Southeast region staged a walkout over the decision of the Senate to throw out a motion seeking the immortalisation of Nwosu.
The senators led by an Abia lawmaker, Enyinnaya Abaribe said the June 12, 1993, election conducted by NEC under the leadership of Humphrey Nwosu remains Nigeria’s freest, fairest and most credible poll.
The lawmakers also accused the Senate of bias in its decision to throw out the motion to honour Nwosu, who they pointed out that, even the president acknowledges the role the late electoral umpire played during the election.
Continuing, Isiguzoro said the action of the Senate on the matter brought before it is affront to injustice to Nwosu and the Nigerian people.
“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,” Isiguzoro said.
He further commended the Southeast Senators led by Abaribe for remaining resolute in their demand for justice on behalf of the late Nwosu.
He said, “In conclusion, 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,” he added.
