NewzBy Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor NIGERIA’S pro-democracy movement has lost one of its notable voices, Chief Ralph Obioha, a businessman, politician, elder statesman and founding member of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, who died on October 3, 2026, aged 80. His death, announced by his son, Chima Obioha, on behalf of the family in Enugu, marked the passing of one of the men who put personal comfort, business interests and political calculations aside to join the struggle against military rule and for the restoration of democracy. For Obioha, however, democracy, which he fought for till death, was never merely about conducting elections or changing governments.
It was about justice, equity, fairness, equal opportunity and a political structure that allowed Nigeria’s component parts to develop according to their circumstances Stand for democratic principles Obioha remained consistent with that philosophy until the end. In tandem with his principled stand on justice, equity, human rights and democracy, Obioha, last June, declined the national honour conferred on him by President Bola Tinubu during the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations. He cited concerns over the continued detention of Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the worsening security situation in the country as reasons for rejecting the national award.
Obioha expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Federal Government for the recognition but said accepting the award would be inconsistent with the democratic principles that guided the struggle against military rule. The former lawmaker, who served in the National Assembly between 1979 and 1983, said he joined other pro-democracy activists during the June 12 struggle because they believed in a Nigeria founded on justice, freedom, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental human rights. “To accept this honour at a time when many of the values for which we fought remain insufficiently realized would, in my view, be inconsistent with those convictions,” he stated.
The late elder statesman was also the Okpuruisizuruoha II of Arondizuogu. The family described him as a patriot, elder statesman, political leader and businessman whose public life was shaped by a firm belief in Nigeria’s enormous potential and the ideals of service, leadership and nation-building. But perhaps the most enduring chapter of Obioha’…
By Steve Oko Former Imo State Governor, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, has described the death of elder statesman and pro-democracy campaigner, Chief Ralph Obioha, as a painful loss to Nigeria, recalling his sacrifices in the struggle for the restoration of democratic rule. Obioha, who died on October 3, 2026, aged 80, was a businessman, former federal legislator and founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). He was also active in the campaign against military rule following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Ohakim, in a condolence message made available to Vanguard through Chief Aloy Ejimakor, said Obioha’s death was particularly painful because Nigerians still had much to gain from his experience, wisdom and commitment to national development. He recalled that Obioha was present at Epetedo, Lagos, on June 11, 1994, when the late Chief MKO Abiola publicly asserted his mandate from the annulled presidential election. According to Ohakim, the military crackdown that followed forced Obioha into exile, where he joined other pro-democracy activists in mobilising international support for the restoration of democratic rule and the validation of the June 12 mandate.
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