The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo has expressed profound sadness and a deep sense of loss on the passing of a former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Professor Humphrey Nwosu.

Nwosu passed away in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 83 in the United States after a brief illness.

In his condolence message signed by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo lamented that Nigeria has lost a true umpire of electoral integrity.

He described the late Prof. Nwosu as a distinguished son of Anambra State from Ajali community in Orumba North Local Government Area, who brought immense pride to the state through his exemplary service to Nigeria.

“His tenure as NEC Chairman from 1989 to 1993 marked a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, particularly through his innovative contributions to our electoral process,” the statement read in part.

The governor particularly recalled that Prof. Nwosu’s legacy has been eternally etched in Nigerian history, as the architect of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely acknowledged as the freest and fairest election in our nation’s history.

“His game-changing innovations, including the Option A4 voting system and the Open Ballot system, earned global recognition and set new standards for electoral transparency in Africa, continuing to influence contemporary discussions on electoral best practices in Nigeria.

“Therefore, Governor Soludo extends his solemn condolences to the family of Prof. Nwosu and the Ajali community, praying that his soul find eternal rest and urging all to take solace in knowing that his legacy of electoral integrity and democratic values cannot be forgotten,” the statement added.