By Eric Elezuo
The immediate past Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, has declared that the chief electoral umpire during the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, should not be left out in the honours list of President Mohammadu Buhari.
Comrade Adewale was speaking exclusively to TheBoss on the euphoria that follows the final realisation of honours for the presumed winner of the June 12 presidential election, Bashorun MKO Abiola, 25 years after he ‘won’ the election and 20 years after his death.
President Buhari had on Wednesday replaced the May 29 Democracy Day with June 12 in total respect for the champion of Nigeria’s democracy, Abiola, who was massively voted for by millions of Nigerians who jettisoned tribe, religion and status in the most recognised, fairest and freest elections ever held in the country.
In addition, Buhari conferred on Abiola the highest honour in the land, which is GCFR, and also honoured Abiola’s running mate, Babagana Kingibe, and democracy activist extraordinaire, late Chief Gani Fawehinmi with the second highest honour, the GCON.
Adewale noted that Prof Nwosu should not be left out at this time, as he performed a credible job to organised the freest and fairest election, even under the dictatorial regime of the military junta led by the self acclaimed evil genius, Gen Ibrahim Babangida. It was him who went ahead to announce the results of the election before he was unceremoniously silenced by the regime.
“Prof Humphrey Nwosu performed creditably well. He was fearless and courageous. He can easily be rated better than Prof Attahiru Jega given the fact that he worked under a military junta. President Buhari should remember him now that the heroes of June 12, 1993 are being counted. He should be recognised,” he said.
Speaking further, Adewale noted that all those who participated in the annulment should be arrested, made to face trial and jailed if found culpable, saying that their crime was treasonable.
While appreciating President Buhari for his kind gesture, he thanked the likes Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being at the forefront of the fight for democracy.
