On-air personality Rufai Oseni has expressed disappointment over the Senate’s decision to suspend a motion seeking to immortalize the late Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (now the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC) who died last year.

Speaking on Arise News on Thursday, March 27, Oseni described Nwosu as a national hero and questioned why every issue in Nigeria is politicized.

He emphasized that Nwosu stood firm against military rule in 1993, resisting pressure to manipulate the election results against M.K.O Abiola, who has since been recognized as the rightful winner of the annulled election.

"The little decency, dignity, and decorum that should have been accorded to him in death have been taken away," Oseni lamented. "The same lawmakers who now enjoy democracy were silent when a man like Nwosu fought to preserve it. Immortalizing him should have been a no-brainer and a befitting honor, especially just days after his burial."

Oseni further criticized the decision, stating that Nwosu remained steadfast despite immense pressure to compromise the electoral process. He pointed out that the 1993 election results, recently acknowledged by former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, confirmed Abiola’s victory.

"When are we going to celebrate our heroes? Must everything in this country be politicized?" he asked. "If we continue to view everything through the lens of division, it is unfair. I don’t want to play regional politics, but I must ask—if Humphrey Nwosu were from another region, would he be treated this way?"

On Tuesday, the Senate suspended the motion to honor Nwosu after several lawmakers opposed its presentation.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, announced the decision, stating that the motion would not proceed.

The proposal was jointly sponsored by Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Abba Moro (Benue South), Orji Kalu (Abia North), Austin Akobondu (Abia), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), and Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), among others.

Despite widespread acknowledgment of Nwosu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic process, the Senate’s decision has sparked debate over whether regional politics influenced the suspension of the motion.

NBA