By Capital Watch Media
There was a heated debate in the Senate on Wednesday following a motion to honour the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, NEC, who oversaw the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
The motion was raised under matters of urgent public importance by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South and co-sponsored by several lawmakers, mainly from the South-East geopolitical zone.
The motion sought to immortalise Nwosu for his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
“Prof. Nwosu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy remain undeniable. Despite the challenges he faced, he conducted an election that remains a reference point in our electoral history,” Abaribe stated.
As Abaribe proceeded, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, interrupted with a point of order, arguing that senators had not received copies of the motion, which he deemed a procedural oversight.
Abaribe countered the claim, insisting that copies were available, leading to a tense exchange in the chamber.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, described the motion as “controversial,” given the divided public opinion on Nwosu’s role in the June 12 election.
“It is controversial. Some people see him as one of those who truncated June 12, while others say he was a hero of democracy,” Jibrin remarked.
When the motion was put to a voice vote, Jibrin ruled in favour of the “nays,” effectively rejecting it.
Abaribe attempted to revisit the motion under personal explanation but was overruled again.
“What is wrong with this motion? What is wrong with a motion to immortalise Prof. Nwosu?” Abaribe asked, visibly frustrated.
Several South-East senators, including Patrick Ndubaeze and Victor Umeh, expressed dissatisfaction with the rejection.
“What is the meaning of this? We can’t continue to do things this way,” Umeh protested.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi supported Abaribe, accusing Jibrin of trying to silence opposing views.
“We have to allow people to speak; otherwise, we are saying that whenever things go wrong, we cannot intervene,” Abdullahi argued.
Despite their protests, Jibrin stood firm on his decision, leading to rising tensions in the chamber. Some senators banged their desks in frustration.
In an effort to restore order, Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, urging lawmakers to approach the issue with national unity in mind.
“While opinions may differ, we should focus on strengthening our democratic institutions rather than revisiting past divisions,” Akpabio said.
Following further deliberations, the Senate agreed to refer the motion to the appropriate committee for review.
No final decision was reached during the session.
The debate highlighted the persistent divisions over Nigeria’s political history and the legacy of the June 12, 1993, election.
It also underscored the challenges in achieving consensus on matters related to national recognition.
Prof. Nwosu’s role in Nigerian democracy remains a subject of debate, with some viewing him as a reformist and others questioning his actions during the annulled election.
The Senate’s handling of the motion reflects the broader struggle over historical narratives in the country’s political discourse.
