Frank Kokori, the former general secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), is dead.
He was aged 80.
Kokori died at a hospital in Warri, Delta state, on Thursday, coincidentally his birthday.
Atawada Oke, Kokori’s personal assistant, confirmed the death of the former NUPENG leader.
Over the past few months, the former NUPENG secretary has been battling a kidney-related ailment.
On November 9, Kokori raised an alarm over his health status from his sick bed.
Twenty-four hours later, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, visited the elder statesman at the hospital and promised that the state will provide support for him to get “high-quality medical treatment”.
Kokori played a significant role in the struggle against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He mobilised workers against the annulment of the election and the military junta — a development that led to petrol scarcity as NUPENG workers stopped nationwide distribution of petrol.
Due to his activism, he was arrested and detained by the military government.
June 12 Struggle
Chief Frank Kokori played a significant role during the June 12 struggle. He mobilzed young men and women to protest against the annulment of the election of Abiola and against the junta of the day.
The Struggle for June 12
Frank Kokori’s book: “Kokori: The Struggle for June 12” is the candid account of Chief Frank Kokori, former General Secretary of The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
It details the roles he and other individuals played in the quest to re-validate the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
The book details the events before, during and after the election, up until the incarceration of Chief Kokori as well as the political fall-out which followed.