75 Bouquets for Maurice Iwu, by Andy Ezeani

In the wake of the general elections of 2007 and the screeching criticisms of the polls by opposition parties, in particular, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, who won the presidency, made a conclusion in terms of admission and conciliation, according to which the polls through which he just arrived in charge, were not perfect. This, usually, was not a declaration that clashed the earth, considering that no election has ever claimed perfection. That statement became a very convenient ax, however, he furiously greeted all those who were ready to mention Yar’adua. It is interesting to note that none of those who have easily referred to Yar’adua on this score, was arranged or fairly right, to recognize that the man never said he did not win the elections. In fact, no other presidential candidate has ever claimed to be the winner of the 2007 presidential elections, however imperfect.

He enters Professor Maurice Iwu, then president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INC), at that critical moment of history. Iwu never said that the elections he conducted was perfect. He said something, however, that he had opposition politicians who thrilled. In the warmth of the passion in those who felt combed in the polls, Prof. Iwu declared, boldly and in some way provocative, that if the presidential elections had been conducted ten times in sixth, in the prevalent political environment of Nigeria in that period, the Democratic Party of the Peoples (PDP) would still have won. Another hell was let go of the corner of criticism, that is, and still remains Prof. Maurice Iwu. It is held tenaciously with his belief and hardly backs back. The passion of that moment has not allowed many to adequately understand the topic of man. It took a while before many, including those who saved him previously, arrived to appreciate the thesis of Iwu, which became a launching pad for subsequent political development.

In the first decade after democracy was restored in Nigeria in 1999, as a national political system, the PDP was not only the party in power, it was a kind of colossus. The gap between the party as a party in power and all the other combined parts was unassailable. The PDP was dominant in any other area of ​​the country, but one. This was what Prof. Iwu noticed and underlined that the opposition parts, competing individually, could not only generate noise, but they would never have won, except that they put together. The PDP would always have exceeded them, even if the elections were held donkey times. The truth was evident, but how did one of the critics asked, why should he say it?

Prof. Iwu was appointed president of the independent national electoral commission in May 2005. He had served briefly as a national commissioner of the Commission, before being appointed honorable president. Before entering Inc, Iwu had gained global fame as a scientist, in the pharmacognosia sector, with many global scientific laurels in his name. He had his first education at Christ the King School, Abba and St. Pius X College, Bodo, Ogoni, River State. He subsequently proceeded to the University of Bradford, Bradford, in the United Kingdom, where he was educated with a doctorate. level.

It was, at various times, a World Health Organization (WHO) Visit scholar at the Dyson Perrins Laboratory, University of Oxford (1980), Scholar of Fulbright at the Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio (1983), winner of the Senior Research Scholar prize at the United States National Research Council, Washington DC (1993-1995), Vice-president, Research and Research and Research and Research. Development, Tom of Tom, good of the Board of Directors, Axxon, Washington, Washington DC (1993-1995). In 1999, he won the United States National Prize for Ethnobiology.

He was part of his rich professional career at the division of experimental therapies of the much appreciated Walter Rees Army Institute of Research, Washington DC, where he was a senior researcher. At the University of Nigeria, NSUKKA, he was a professor of Farmacognosia

Not unexpectedly, Prof. Iwu brought an extraordinary spirit of innovation to innovation. Not only has it raised the place of technology in the electoral process, but has completely reviewed the management of electoral systems, leaving a constant imprint in the electoral management body.

Standing on the merits of Prof. Iwu’s mandate at the INC is the Electoral Institute, which has established. Thei as is commonly known, has become the center of research and documentation at the INC. Not only did he establish the Institute, but also chaired the acquisition of the exquisite building in the central area of ​​Abuja, which houses the Institute. His foresight in the acquisition of the structure when the INC, under him, did so now for him. IWU also introduced the use of members of the National Youth Service Corps in the electoral process, using young citizens on the national service to replace the members of the ad hoc staff of the open company, an agreement that had become rather problematic, since politicians have exploited the old order to push their supporters as members of ad hoc staff.

The electronic registration of the voters was introduced under the IWU. He inaugurated the era of the capture of direct data, which, for the first time, captured the fingerprints of the registered voters and added images to the voters’ cards. The Incen under him collaborated with Chams to establish a cards production plant for voters in Abuja. The idea of ​​a permanent voter card only matured after leaving the assignment. In his effort to promote a better relationship with political parties as parties interested in the electoral process, Iwu has promoted a common organ of political parties, what has become known as the consultative committee between party (IPAC).

On an administrative level, Prof. Iwu as President of the Inc fought and has won a free hand for Iner to appoint his secretary, who is the head of the administration of the Commission. Until the advent of Iwu, the federal government used to have a senior permanent secretary to work as a secretary of the inac. He discovered it embarrassing, knowing that such a secretary can only have to have loyalty to those who have appointed them. Perhaps, by far, one of the successes of the most impact of the Iwu for the Incen, outside the knowledge of the public, was the establishment of what is known as the Incen fund, a financial management agreement that allowed the Commission to exercise relative financial control over its funds.

It is interesting that, while for many politicians and critics, Iwu’s mandate at the inac is essentially seen by the prism of the debate on the fact that the presidential elections of 2007 have been perfect or imperfect, within the electoral commission, Iwu remains something hero of worship. His link with the staff of the Commission, cemented by his innovations and premium on the well -being of staff members, obviously holds a great fulfillment for him.

In June 2010, Iwu completed his five -year mandate as an Incen and office president. A year later, in 2011 another general election took place, not from Prof, Iwu, but under another president. Once again, the PDP prevailed. Therefore, the opposition parties who took shadow to Prof. Iwu’s declaration in 2007, recalled that Iwu had said that if they did not united to the strength, the PDP would continue to win. The opposition parties faced reality and made a common front forged. The rest is history.

There was no recognition from the godfather of the all progressive Congress (APC) of the source of the idea which culminated in the formation of the common front by the opposition parties, which in the end led to the overturning of the PDP? Certainly none. In the background of where Nigeria found itself, it is seriously questionable, although, it is a good or bad idea, having sowed the seed that in the end led the country to its current passage.

In the years following his management of the electoral process of Nigeria, Prof. Maurice Iwu has resolved in the atmosphere he is used to. He hasn’t wasted much time to return to the research and production of natural health products that promote well -being in front of the assault of several synthetic health products. He was also appointed to the Board of Directors of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals. As president of the Bioresources Development Group (BDG), Prof. Iwu is also actively involved in the promotion of national policies that try to grant due recognition to natural products and medicine, as a practicable approach to achieve a healthy company.

A few years ago, an accident occurred at Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, in the United States, which reflected the name that Professor Iwu made for himself. At the immigration point in one of the busiest airports in America, an official on duty, after receiving the Iwu passport, gave a double passport, called his name and said in an unmistakable American language, “for real?”. So, he followed him with a rhetorical question. “Is the Maurice Iwu? The much Prof. Iwu could offer was that it was Maurice Iwu. The Lord offered a warm welcome, satisfied, as it seemed, that he met” the Maurice Iwu “.

That Maurice Iwu, otherwise, Professor Maurice Mmaduakolam Iwu, an eminent researcher, former electoral chief of Nigeria and a philanthropist, turns 75 today, April 21, 2025. It was certainly a satisfying and full of events. Often he smiles through challenges, but hardly does not let what he believes he must say. Here are 75 decks for Professor Maurice Iwu. He lived a life impact. Fortunately, his hands are still in plow.

■ Andy Ezeani, editorialist, was an editor of newspapers and heads of the advertising division of the Inc.