Nigeria, April 14 -- For two days, bile and mean-spiritedness rippled through the chambers of Nigeria's Senate over a motion for the immortalisation of Humphrey Nwosu, a former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), in recognition of his public service to the country. This is hinged on the exceptional conduct of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, won by the MKO Abiola. That election has been adjudged by all and sundry as the freest, fairest and most credible in our annals till date.

Mr Nwosu died in October 2024, aged 83 years. His illustrious role saw him defy a kangaroo court order, covertly masterminded by the highest military echelon of the time, which had sought to stop the conduct of the poll. And at the behest ...