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Former founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), elder statesman, businessman and entrepreneur, Chief Ralph Obioha, died on October 3 at the age of 80. The Okpuruisizuruoha II of Arondizuogu was a great Nigerian patriot and political leader. His life traversed business, public affairs and politics. Chief Obioha was a 2nd Republic federal legislator, party founder, and one of the prominent figures of the pro-democracy activism in the 1990s.
He was born in Arondizuogu, Imo State, to the family of Chief Louis Nwakire Obioha, an industrialist, who established NIPROC, a palm kernel extraction company. The entrepreneurial spirit later influenced his business and politics. Among the companies he founded were First African Trust Bank (FATBank), Hercules Breweries (renamed Safari Brewery), Castle Cement (a cement-bagging company in Port Harcourt), a vegetable company, and a number of hotels. Through his companies, Obioha employed thousands of Nigerians. We urge other Nigerian businessmen to emulate his example and establish more businesses and create more jobs for Nigerians.
He came to political limelight when he was elected as a parliamentarian in the House of Representatives during the Second Republic. He served between 1979 and 1983 during the presidency of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, and contributed to robust debates in the lower chamber. He was one of the founders of two defunct political parties – the United Peoples Party (UPP) and the Justice Party (JP). He also served as National Chairman for both parties. He will be remembered for offering platforms for other politicians to hug the limelight.
The late NADECO chieftain believed that the worst thing to happen to a good politician was to back a wrong horse. So when the ban on politics was lifted, Chief Obioha pitched his tent with the late business mogul and politician, Chief MKO Abiola, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the adjudged winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. Disappointed with the turn of events over the freest and fairest poll in Nigerian history, Chief Obioha joined forces with anti-democracy elements in NADECO to fight for the restoration of the Abiola mandate. Though he fled into exile when the Abacha military dictatorship cracked down on Abiola’s loyalists, he coordinated NADECO activities in the United States (US) and Canada.
Obioha was a consummate democrat and politician, who believed in the future of Nigeria and committed his time and resources in making the dream of a nation come true. Sadly, Chief Obioha lost many of his prized possessions while fighting for the restoration of Abiola’s mandate and democracy. His bank, brewery, cement factory and oil businesses that took him years to build were gone. He never returned to Nigeria till six years after he fled the country.
He was a man of culture who was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Okpuruisizuruoha Il of Arondizuogu. He also took leadership roles in Ohaneze Ndigbo when he returned to Nigeria. He was a vocal agitator for equity and restructuring of the country.
He believed Nigeria, as structured currently was not inclusive and should be restructured to bring out the best in every Nigerian. Unfortunately, the late politician didn’t see a truly restructured Nigeria.
In his tribute to the late political icon, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aptly observed that as a founding member and prominent leader of NADECO, “Chief Obioha stood firmly on the side of democratic governance during the struggle for the restoration of democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. His commitment to the pro-democracy cause came at considerable personal cost. Yet, despite the challenges and pressures of those difficult years, he remained steadfast in his belief that Nigeria’s destiny was inseparable from democracy, justice, constitutionalism and the right of the Nigerian people to choose their leaders.”
The President described him as a courageous Nigerian, who made sacrifices for democracy and remained committed to the ideals of a better Nigeria. Moreso. “His generation faced extraordinary challenges, and he played his part in defending the principles he believed would strengthen our democracy and our nation.”
No doubt, Chief Obioha was a great Nigerian patriot, who contributed so much to the struggle to restore democracy in the country after many years of military rule. He mentored so many Nigerians in business and politics. Let other politicians emulate his exemplary leadership and patriotism. He sacrificed everything for the love of country. Therefore, the federal government should honour the late elder statesman by naming an edifice after him for his invaluable contributions to our political development. Let the government also give him a befitting burial. We commiserate with his family, the political class and business community over the great loss. May God grant his soul eternal rest.
