In a tragic turn of events, Chief Frank Kokori, the erstwhile General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), passed away at the age of 80. Kokori had been battling a kidney-related ailment and was confined to a hospital bed for the past month. The veteran labor leader breathed his last at a private hospital in Warri at 1:30 am on Thursday, December 7, 2023, coincidentally, his 80th birthday.
The sad news was disclosed by Kokori’s Personal Assistant, Atawada Oke, who informed journalists early Thursday that Kokori’s health had taken a critical turn on Monday. At that time, he was unable to interact with those around him and had to be placed on life support.
The late labor icon made a distress call from his hospital bed on Thursday, November 9, 2023, lamenting that he felt neglected and abandoned despite his significant contributions to the democratic growth of the country. In response, dignitaries, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Deputy President of the Senate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, paid him visits.
Chief Frank Kokori played a pivotal role in the validation struggle of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. The annulment by the military junta, led by Ibrahim Babangida, sparked outrage and protests across the nation. Kokori, at the forefront of mobilizing the masses, led NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in organizing nationwide strikes that crippled the oil industry, the country’s economic lifeblood.
These strikes served as a potent weapon against the military regime, exerting significant pressure on Babangida to reverse his decision. Kokori’s activism extended beyond the labor strikes; he actively participated in pro-democracy activities, joining rallies and demonstrations advocating for democracy and the recognition of Abiola’s victory.
Despite facing arrest, imprisonment, and torture by the military government, Kokori remained undeterred in his commitment to democracy and his ideals. His unwavering courage and relentless activism earned him widespread respect and admiration, solidifying his status as a hero in the fight for the validation of June 12 and the broader struggle for democracy in Nigeria.
