Abuja, Nigeria – Tension dey high for Senate on Wednesday as dem dey discuss motion to honor late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, wey be former chairman of National Electoral Commission (NEC). Nwosu dey behind the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election wey many people dey recognize as one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections before dem cancel am. The drama start when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe carry motion come as personal explanation to memorialize Nwosu, but e no find am easy.
Abaribe argue say, ‘Even if the Senate leader say e no follow, by the fact say one senator wan make personal explanation, you gatz give am chance to talk. We no dey under dictatorship.’ His comments show the deep divisions wey dey among lawmakers regarding honoring the late professor.
Professor Nwosu, wey lead NEC from 1989 to 1993, pass away for age 83 on March 1, 2024, for hospital for United States. E tenure na significant moment for Nigeria’s democracy, especially with e role for organizing the June 12 election. In other news, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the current INEC chairman, don dey push for posthumous national honor for Nwosu to show recognition for him contributions to Nigeria’s electoral process.
Nwosu go be buried on Friday, March 28, for him hometown wey dey Anambra State. E go mark an important moment for many wey believe say his legacy deserve recognition.
Meanwhile, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) don show gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for him signing the South-South Development Commission Bill into law. Dem call am historic move wey go help the growth of the South-South region of Nigeria. For statement wey PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, release, e praised the president and National Assembly for waka fast for the bill.
PANDEF describe am as one wey go boost confidence inside our people concerning Federal Government commitment to tackle regional development in Nigeria. “Dis singular action dey show say government wan address the unique social, environmental, and developmental challenges wey dey face South-South region,” na wetin dem talk.
Dem urge President Tinubu to appoint qualified and experienced personnel to manage the newly created commission, to ensure say e fit work well with state governments for sustainable development. According to PANDEF, Niger Delta don dey play critical role for Nigeria economy through oil and gas production but e still need focused intervention to tackle environmental degradation and infrastructure deficits.
Besides di new commission, PANDEF still dey call for quick government action on environmental cleanup and infrastructural work to fix long-standing problems inside the region. Dem also appeal make the president intervene for the political crisis wey dey happen for Rivers State and make sure say Governor Siminalayi Fubara, him deputy, and di State Assembly return to their positions, as dem dey get serious concerns over their suspension.
PANDEF don reaffirm dem commitment to work with Federal Government to bring peace, development, and stability come di South-South region.
