Peter Obi embroiled in June 12 election, unpacking Professor Humphrey Nwosu’s legacy

December 03, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, a renowned Nigerian academic and former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), would have been remembered as the best political umpire in Nigeria’s history if he had successfully overseen the election of MKO Abiola as President in 1993, Says Akinsola Akin

The June 12 election was widely acclaimed as the freest and most credible in the country.

However, Nwosu’s efforts were undermined, and the election results were annulled.

In a recent tweet by Akinsola Akin, shed light on the alleged role of the former Anambra State Governor in undermining the June 12 election.

According to the article, Obi, who was then a protege of Arthur Nzeribe in the Association for a Better Nigeria (ABN), secured a midnight court injunction that nullified MKO Abiola’s presidency.

This event led to a chain reaction, including IBB stepping aside for Shonekan in an arrangement with Abacha.

Abacha became the head of state and rewarded Peter Obi by tasking him with decongesting Tin Can Island, where Obi made billions and later became Chairman of Fidelity Bank.

Peter Obi’s involvement in politics continued, and he became a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998.

Akinsola Akin wrote, “Professor Humphrey Nwosu would have gone down in history as the best political umpire Nigeria ever had if he had successfully overseen the election of MKO Abiola as President in 1993 in what acclaimed as the freest and most credible in the country. He failed but not many people know that Peter Obi played a significant role in undermining that achievement. Ironically, he is now shedding crocodile tears on his passage.

“In 1993, Peter Obi was a protégé of Arthur Nzeribe in the Association for a Better Nigeria (ABN). They secured a midnight court injunction that nullified MKO Abiola’s presidency. Obi personally delivered the court verdict to Nwosu and stopped the further announcement of the election results. This ultimately led to IBB stepping aside for Shonekan, in an arrangement with Abacha. Abacha became head of state and expectedly did not forget Peter Obi’s role in his ascent to power. As a reward, he tasked Obi with decongesting Tin Can Island, where Obi made billions and subsequently became Chairman of Fidelity Bank.

“Peter Obi reciprocated by joining others to convince Abacha, transformation from military leader to civilian president. His main contribution was bankrolling the formation of a Youths group called YEAA (Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha) headed by Daniel Kanu. The group introduced the “Million Man March” as a political campaign strategy in Nigeria. Peter Obi later adopted this strategy at the beginning of his presidential campaign in 2022. The Abacha project came to an end with the death of Abacha.

“In 1998, when the ban on politics was lifted, Peter Obi became a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This is the point that most know as the begining of the political journey of Peter Obi.”