Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has passed on.
Kokori died in the early hours of Thursday (Dec. 7) at Mount Horeb Hospital, Warri, Delta State, according to his Personal Assistant, Mr. Oke Barry.
On Dec. 8, 2021, Kokori celebrated his 77 birthday.
The elder statesman and labour leader’s health had deteriorated about a week ago and was placed on oxygen until his passing today, he said.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori had visited bed-ridden Kokori and settled his hospital bills following media reports that the late NUPENG chief was hospitalized and needed help.
Kokori, an Urhobo, from Ovu town in Agbon Kingdom of the state, was a founding chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his book published in 2014, titled, “FRANK KOKORI: THE STRUGGLE FOR JUNE 12”, he chronicled the struggles he championed with other unions and pro-democracy activists for the de-annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.
The results which were being announced by the National Electoral Commission presided over by Prof. Henry Nwosu, were, however, annulled by the head of the military junta then, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
The book details, in depth, the events before, during and after the election, up until the incarceration of Chief Kokori as well as the political fall-outs which followed.
