Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, has expressed deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss over the passing of Professor Humphrey Nwosu, a former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
Nwosu passed away early Thursday in the United States at the age of 83 following a brief illness.
In a condolence message issued by the Governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo remarked that Nigeria has lost a genuine champion of electoral integrity.
He honored the late Professor Nwosu as an esteemed son of Anambra State, hailing from the Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area, who brought great pride to the state through his exemplary service to the nation.
“His tenure as NEC Chairman from 1989 to 1993 marked a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, particularly through his innovative contributions to our electoral process,” the statement read in part.
The governor particularly recalled that Prof. Nwosu’s legacy has been eternally etched in Nigerian history, as the architect of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely acknowledged as the freest and fairest election in our nation’s history.
“His game-changing innovations, including the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system, earned global recognition and set new standards for electoral transparency in Africa, continuing to influence contemporary discussions on electoral best practices in Nigeria.
“Therefore, Governor Soludo extends his solemn condolences to the family of Prof. Nwosu and the Ajali community, praying that his soul find eternal rest and urging all to take solace in knowing that his legacy of electoral integrity and democratic values cannot be forgotten,” the statement added.