Former Chairman of the National Election Commission, now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, has passed away at the age of 83.

He reportedly died in a hospital in Virginia, USA, on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Nwosu was born on October 2, 1941, in the Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He served as the chairman of NEC from 1989 to 1993.

Nwosu oversaw the June 12, 1993, election, which is considered Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.

During that election, Chief Moshood Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) was declared winner over Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

However, the election was annulled by former military president Ibrahim Babangida.

Nwosu introduced important changes to Nigeria’s electoral process during his time, such as the Option A4 voting system and the globally recognized Open Ballot system.