By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Nwosu family of Ajalli, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has announced the burial arrangements for their patriarch and former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Professor Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu, who passed away in a US hospital on October 24, 2024.
Aged 83 years, Prof. Nwosu, a distinguished political scientist and academic, is renowned for overseeing the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest. During his tenure as NEC Chairman from 1989 to 1993, he introduced the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system, which significantly enhanced electoral transparency in Nigeria.
According to a burial poster signed by Engr. Nnaemeka Humphrey Nwosu (for the family), Professor Nwosu will lastly be laid to rest on Friday, March 28, 2025, at his residence, Ogbili Otti Palace, Ajalli, after some burial activities schedule to hold at different places, both within and outside Nigeria.
The announcement further details that the burial activities will kick off with a Service of Songs and Celebration of Life which will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C., USA.
This will be followed by a Night of Tributes on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
According to the poster, Prof. Nwosu’s body will arrive Anambra State on Thursday, March 27, 2025, for a brief ceremony at the Orumba North L.G.A. Headquarters, followed by a Service of Songs at his residence in Ogbili Otti Palace, Ajalli, the same day. He will, thereafter, be laid to rest on Friday, March 28, 2025 at his compound, after a funeral service at St. Marks Anglican Church, Ajalli, followed by condolence visits by relatives, friends and well-wishers.
“Guests should proceed to the Ajalli Government School field after the funeral service, for entertainment,” the poster partly reads.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that Professor Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu was born on October 2, 1941, in Ajalli, Anambra State. He earned his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1973 and 1976, respectively. Upon returning to Nigeria, he joined the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he became a full professor. He also served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, as well as Commissioner for Agriculture in the Old Anambra State. His major credit, however, centres around his conduct of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, which, though, was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida.
Before the ill-fated presidential election, Prof. Nwosu’s NEC had conducted the governorship and parliamentary election using an innovative, inexpensive OPTION A-4, in which voters queued behind the photographs of candidates of their choice at polling stations.
In July 2024, the House of Representatives urged President Bola Tinubu to honor Prof. Nwosu for his role in conducting what is considered the most credible election in Nigeria’s post-independence history. However, until his death, he was not officially recognized or honoured by successive administrations.
Prof. Nwosu is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and numerous relatives.
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