Former NADECO Activist Ralph Obioha Rejects Tinubu’s National Honour, Cites Kanu’s Detention, Insecurity

Former National Assembly member and pro-democracy activist, Chief Ralph Obioha, has declined the national honour conferred on him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations, citing concerns over democratic values, the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and rising insecurity in the country.

Obioha, a prominent figure in the struggle for the restoration of democracy under the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), announced his decision in a statement issued in Enugu on Monday.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Federal Government for considering him worthy of the recognition but said accepting the honour would conflict with the principles that guided his involvement in the June 12 pro-democracy struggle.

“I do not take this recognition lightly. Any honour conferred by the Federal Republic of Nigeria is significant and deserving of gratitude. However, after careful reflection and in fidelity to the principles that guided our struggle for democracy under NADECO, I have decided, respectfully but firmly, to decline the award,” he said.

Obioha recalled that he and other pro-democracy activists, including President Tinubu, fought against military rule and risked their freedom in pursuit of the actualisation of the June 12 mandate of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

He said the struggle was founded on ideals of justice, freedom, rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights.

The former lawmaker said one of the key principles of democracy was the protection of freedom of expression and the right of citizens to criticise those in authority without fear of persecution.

According to him, dissenting voices and criticism are not threats to democracy but essential elements of democratic governance.

Kanu’s detention contradicts democratic ideals — Obioha

Obioha said he found it difficult to reconcile accepting the award with what he described as the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

While acknowledging that opinions differ on Kanu’s methods and political positions, he argued that the matter raises broader questions about justice, due process and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

He urged President Tinubu, whom he described as a beneficiary and participant in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, to use his position to pursue reconciliation and a solution that promotes national healing.

Beyond Kanu’s case, Obioha expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, lamenting the continued loss of lives to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

He said the protection of lives and property remained the primary responsibility of government, adding that many Nigerians were increasingly worried about their safety.

Obioha stressed that his decision was not a personal attack on President Tinubu or a rejection of national honours, but a principled stand based on the ideals of the June 12 struggle.

“To accept this honour at a time when many of the values for which we fought remain insufficiently realised would, in my view, be inconsistent with those convictions,” he said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, justice, national unity, freedom of expression and a Nigeria where citizens enjoy equal protection under the law and live in peace and dignity.

Chief Ralph Obioha served as a member of the National Assembly between 1979 and 1983 and was a prominent participant in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement.