Newscenter Media News The five governors of the South-East have resolved to meet with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to request a befitting national honor for the former National Chairman of the then National Electoral Commission, NEC, the late Prof Humphrey Nwosu.
This comes as the former Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, criticized Sen. Adams Oshiomhole and the entire Senate for accusing the late Nwosu of annulling the June 12, 1993, presidential election in the country.
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and the Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, who represented President Ahmed Bola Tinubu at the funeral of the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, stated this in Anambra State at the weekend.
Soludo, speaking during the church service to mark the burial of Nwosu, said: “We must learn to change our style and devise a style of dialogue to get what we need from the government at the center and not through fighting and attacks.
“For us in Anambra and the Old Aguata Union, made up of the 45 communities in the three local government areas, we shall honor and celebrate our son.
“After the funeral, we, the South-East governors, will meet with the President over the national honor for our brother, and we are sure that he will grant us that request,” Soludo said.
Engr. Dave Umahi, on his part, explained: “Mr. President has so much value for our brother, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, and in his message, we are celebrating him for his profound contributions to Nigerian democracy, and we shall continue to cherish him and his achievements.
“This is because he played very vital roles in the development of Nigerian democracy and governance. While we were here, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation called to ask how we were, and he told me that the family made two requests. After discussions, they will be granted, and when that is done, I will communicate the outcome to your governor,” he noted.
Also, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, observed: “Nigeria is celebrating an icon of our democracy, and that is why I came to join my brother, Prof. Charles Soludo, to honor this great Nigerian who wrote his name in the sands of time. I pray that at the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, it will be a triumph for our brother, the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu,” he stated.
While delivering the homily, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, in his message, described Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s statements rejecting any honor for Prof. Nwosu as nonsensical.
“That statement by Oshiomhole is nonsensical because Humphrey Nwosu did not annul the June 12 election, and former President Babangida has owned up to annulling the election.
“Until Nigerians apologize to the late Abiola and the late Humphrey Nwosu, their spirits will not rest.
“Again, what is happening in the North is because Nigerians are yet to apologize to Ndigbo, and that is why the spirit and Igbo blood will continue to cause Boko Haram.
“Whether you honor Prof. Humphrey Nwosu or not, we shall honor our own brother, and the position of the Senate is highly unfortunate. I know it is because Humphrey Nwosu is Igbo,” he said.
The Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Samuel Chukwudi Ezeofor, who also spoke during the service, lamented what he described as the hopeless fate of the Nigerian nation, contending that the dreams and aspirations of the country have been shattered.
“This country has also produced men and women who would have liberated Nigeria, such as the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu. But today, professors rig elections for school dropouts and drug barons, and you say that this country will be good.
“Our politicians have bastardized our university education, and they decide who will be Vice-Chancellors of our universities. The position of Vice-Chancellor has become a political appointment.
“Prof. Chinua Achebe wrote a book titled There Was a Country, but I say there is a country. In that book, our brother lamented the loss in the country, and Nigeria has lost the essence of our dreams. I don’t know if the cause is our politicians.
“Prof. Wole Soyinka, at the then University of Ife, lamented that his generation is a wasted generation, while the late musician Sunny Okosun asked, ‘Which way, Nigeria?’ One wonders what he would have sung if he were alive today,” he said.
Present at the funeral were the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and Sen. Victor Umeh of Anambra Central District.
Southeast governors to meet Tinubu over honour to Humphrey Nwosu