The Igbo people of Nigeria have long felt deliberately marginalised in the country’s governance, particularly since the civil war. This perceived marginalisation was further exacerbated on the 26th March, 2025 when the Senate dismissed a motion to honor the legacy of late Humphrey Nwosu without even a debate. Given late Henry Nwosu’s pivotal role in conducting the 3rd Republic Elections and the June 12, 1993 election, it’s imperative that the Senate reconsider immortalising his name. Failure to do so would perpetuate the ongoing marginalisation perception of the Igbo people in Nigeria.
Moreover, the Nigerian government’s treatment of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been widely seen as a form of persecution. Kanu’s detention and prosecution have raised serious concerns about the Nigerian government’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Despite being discharged and acquitted by the Nigerian Appeals Court, Kanu remains in detention, with the Nigerian government refusing to release him.
The IPOB has argued that Kanu’s detention is part of a broader pattern of persecution and marginalisation of the Igbo people, who have been subjected to economic and political exclusion, as well as violence and intimidation, by the Nigerian government.
The dismissal of the motion to honor Nwosu’s legacy is yet another example of this perceived marginalisation.
Historical context reveals that the Igbo people have faced significant economic and political challenges since the civil war. Policies like the Indigenisation Decree and the 20 pounds flat refund policy to a large extent, hindered their speedy economic recovery after the civil war. Moreover, the deliberate underuse of seaports in the former eastern region and the lack of functional international airports proximate to the Igbo areas have further stifled their economic growth.
The Nigerian government’s actions have been widely challenged by human rights groups and the international community, who have called for Kanu’s immediate release and an end to the perceived persecution of the Igbo people.
It is essential for the Senate to reconsider and acknowledge the late Henry Nwosu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic process, not only to honor his legacy but also to address the long-standing grievances of the Igbo people.
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