Prof. Humphrey NwosuChairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu has described June 12, 1993 Presidential election as a turning point in Nigeria’s tortuous journey towards a democratic polity.
Professor Nwosu, who presided over the polls later annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida military junta, said: “indeed, June 12, 1993 marked a turning point in Nigeria’s tortuous journey towards a democratic polity.”
In a letter he personally wrote today, Monday to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, he commended President Muhammadu Buhari for designating June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and also honouring the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 election.
According to him, the conferment of national honours on Chief Abiola and his running mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe,“will rekindle the national consciousness of all Nigerians for a better nation.
“I thank His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria for recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day and also honouring the winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
“It is an honour to the very hard-working men and women of the defunct National Electoral Commission under my leadership at this long awaited recognition. I humbly commend this action by the President.
“Undoubtedly the democratic system of governance is the best especially for the multi ethnic nation like ours. I thank you for building on the foundation which my team and I laboured strenuously to establish and actualize on June 12, 1993.
“It is our hope that expanding the frontiers of democracy of which all the people of Nigeria, regardless of ethnic group, will provide economic, social and developmental benefits that will certainly make Nigeria a great nation not only in Africa but across the world.”
He said that the scheduled event on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 would rekindle the national consciousness of all Nigerians for a better Nation.
He noted that he won’t be able to attend the investiture ceremony, because he was not in the country presently.
NAN.
