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NHRC, others unveil Humphrey Nwosu centre, call for electoral reform
As part of efforts to immortalize the memories of an exceptional public servant and celebrate his rare demonstration of integrity, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other stakeholders, unveiled the Humphrey Nwosu Centre, in memory of the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, who conducted the famous June 12, 1993 general election presumed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola.
The election was however annulled by the military government headed by Gen. Ibrahim Badamasii Babangida.
At the event which took place at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, senate President, Godswill Akpabio, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and many others, praised the courage of Humphrey Nwosu for conducting a free, fair and transparent election, even in the face of opposition and threat by agents of government of the day.
They also called for stronger electoral reforms, improved institutional accountability, and tougher action against insecurity as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The event which was part of the Annual June 12 Memorial Lecture organised was organized by NHRC in collaboration with the Professor Humphrey Nwosu Centre for Democracy and Human Rights.
Speaking at the event, Ojukwu described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that credible elections remain essential to national stability and development.
He said the theme of the lecture, “Electoral Integrity and the Future of Credible Elections in Nigeria,” was timely as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.
Ojukwu added that the newly inaugurated Humphrey Nwosu Centre would serve as a hub for research, civic engagement, and policy advocacy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said the legacy of the June 12, 1993 presidential election remains central to Nigeria’s democratic history, describing it as a symbol of electoral justice and resistance.
Akpabio reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening the electoral system through legislative reforms and oversight, stressing that credible elections depend on the collective responsibility of political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society, and citizens.
According to him, ensuring that every eligible Nigerian can vote with confidence is essential to restoring trust in the democratic process.
Femi Falana on his part, urged Nigerians to resist ethnic and regional divisions in addressing injustice, insisting that human rights violations anywhere in the country affect all citizens.
“Don’t say this one is from that side of the country or from this side of the country. Injustice is injustice to every Nigerian,” he said.
Falana commended security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, for recent rescue operations, including the reported recovery of about 360 abducted persons in Maiduguri and the rescue of a minister’s sister and her children without payment of ransom.
However, he strongly criticised the growing practice of ransom payments to kidnappers, describing it as a key driver of the country’s kidnapping crisis.
“This criminality of giving money, paying ransom is not acceptable. That is why the business is thriving,” he said.
He also faulted what he described as government-backed negotiations and rehabilitation of terrorists, arguing that such practices undermine justice and contradict existing laws.
Citing the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, Falana said negotiating with or supporting terrorists attracts severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to 20 years.
“The law says they shall be tried. The penalties are clearly set out in the law,” he stated.
The David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court judgement that removed its leadership.
The opposition party also disclosed that it had filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgement pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.
The party made this known in a statement on Friday, November 6, adding that it had formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the legal steps taken,
The appeal is against the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1619/2025, involving Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and the ADC.
The party urged INEC to refrain from taking any further action on the matter until the Court of Appeal has considered the case.
It argued that the application for a stay of execution was yet to be decided and that the electoral commission should not take any step that could affect the outcome of the appeal.
According to the ADC, it expects INEC to respect the ongoing legal process and allow the appellate court to hear the matter before making any decision connected to the judgement.
The statement partly read, “The ADC is exercising its lawful right to appeal. The judgement is now being challenged before a higher court, and the legal process must be allowed to run its course.
“We expect INEC to uphold the law and take full account of the pending proceedings before making any consequential decisions.”
The party also urged its members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the court judgement would not stop its political activities.
It said its campaigns would continue while it explored all available legal options to defend its position.
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring the caretaker committee that oversaw the party’s affairs illegal and invalidating all decisions taken by the committee.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, also affects the presidential primary that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s presidential candidate, had already selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which the David Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the leadership.
He consequently asked the court to invalidate all actions undertaken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Senator Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The plaintiff maintained that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
In suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu were listed as defendants.
Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating the authority of the caretaker committee and decisions taken under its leadership.
The verdict is expected to trigger fresh political uncertainty within the ADC, particularly over Atiku’s presidential ambition and the party’s preparations for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
However, the party has vowed to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.
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