The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has announced plans to hold the Annual June 12 Memorial Lecture in honour of the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu as part of efforts to strengthen democratic governance, electoral integrity, and human rights in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, said the lecture, organized in collaboration with the Prof. Humphrey N. Nwosu Center for Democracy and Human Rights, will hold on June 9, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The lecture, themed “Electoral Integrity and the Future of Credible Elections in Nigeria,” is expected to bring together election managers, political actors, civil society organizations, security agencies, academics, development partners, the media, and citizens to discuss the future of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Dr. Ojukwu described the event as timely, stressing that electoral integrity remains fundamental to democratic governance and the protection of citizens’ rights. He noted that democracy thrives where electoral processes are transparent, inclusive, and credible.
The NHRC Boss paid tribute to the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), for overseeing the historic June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.
The learned Silk also disclosed that the event would feature the formal unveiling of the Prof. Humphrey N. Nwosu Center for Democracy and Human Rights. The Centre is expected to serve as a platform for democratic research, civic education, leadership development, and human rights advocacy.
Dr. Ojukwu said the memorial lecture would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the lessons of June 12 and explore ways of strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He further announced that the Election Integrity and Democracy Award would be presented to Professor Nnenna Oti, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), in recognition of her courage, transparency, and professionalism in the discharge of her electoral responsibilities.
According to him, the award is aimed at celebrating integrity in public service and encouraging citizens and public officials to uphold the values of transparency, accountability, and fairness.
The Executive Secretary expressed confidence that the lecture would contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral integrity, promote peaceful political participation, and enhance public trust in democratic institutions.
Responding to questions from journalists, he noted that aspects of the Open Ballot System and Option A4 electoral model introduced by the late Professor Nwosu could be reviewed and adapted where necessary to further strengthen transparency, accountability, and democratic participation in Nigeria's electoral process.
The press briefing was attended by Chief Fab Uche of the Prof. Humphrey N. Nwosu Center for Democracy and Human Rights, as well as Dr. Emeka Nwosu, Consultant to the ECOWAS Parliament and a member of the Planning Committee for the June 12 Memorial Lecture.
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