The True Heroes Of June 12th And More…

By: Chris O. MadukaTalking about June 12th without talking about Mazi Professor Humphrey Nwosu the National Electoral body chairman that designed, planned and executed what is now judged in retrospect as one of the most transparent and free elections ever conducted in the post Independent Nigeria under the OPTION A4 Open ballot system is like talking about American independent without talking about Thomas Jefferson or George Washington.
It is like talking about Apartheid struggle without Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. It is like, let me shock so many of you, talking about the making of Abuja Capital territory without the mention of Mazi Dr. Felix Obinani the American based PhD city planning expert from Arondizuogu in the Present day Imo state flown back to Nigeria to design the Abuja city master plan. Don’t take my words for it , simply dig deeper.

Do they have a single street named after him? I doubt it. But we have the names of previous Nigeria coupists and embezzlers lined all over Abuja. Yet we wonder why things are the way they are.That’s what this Country has done.

Today you see those who sabotaged June 12th with those who dressed like market women to escape to the border taking exclusive credit for June 12th which was supposed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola. Do anyone ever make mention of Chief Mazi Ralph K. Obioha from the same Arondizuogu in the Present day Imo state that was in the trenches with the late chief.

But, think about it; how did they know that late MKO Abiola won or was about to win before the Annulment came from the then military head of state Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.It was the competence, courage and professionalism of the Political science Professor Mazi Humphrey Nwosu that made June 12th possible.

Without Humprey Nwosu there will be no June 12th and there will be nothing to celebrate. After all there were other aborted attempts to conduct similar elections, because the people in charge weren’t as courageous as Mazi Humphrey Nwosu so they capitulated quickly and it ended there. But Prof. Nwosu Proceeded. Reminding all that he gave the world his words to conduct free and fair elections, and that they were here to observe that, therefore no going back.

Even at the face of intimidation and great risk to his life he proceeded with the elections and the release of the results until the military came harder on the on going process.Is it possible to omit someone who played this type of role pretending to forget as if you are suffering from selective amnesia when celebrating June 12th?
On such days as today Prof. Nwosu ought to have occupied a prominent seat and perhaps give the key note Address as only he could.

Don’t ask me why such a conspicuous and deliberate omission. I have my ideas.Truth be told, Without Prof.Humphrey Nwosu there won’t be anything to celebrate on this day. Just the same way there won’t be Abuja Master Plan without late Mazi Dr. Felix Obinani.

One thing that rings true among the two distinguished and accomplished men of honour who served this country eminently well is their ethnic nationality and their last names. They are Igbos. Less appreciated and rarely acknowledged for tremendous good. But often minor infractions are amplified and tagged on all to wear as a badge. But not the huge good deeds.

You can argue it all you want. But this country is reputable for people reaping where they did not sow. It is a land where mediocres are supplanted for brilliant minds by unrepentant revisionists. Little wonder so many have given up on trying. As late John Paul 2nd once said: when people are deprived of playing their rightful roles, they will resolve to attitude of passive indifference.That’s what many have done at the detriment of this beligeard nation.