Delta APC mourns demise of democracy icon, Chief Frank Kokori 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, says it’s deeply saddened by the demise of the renowned elder statesman, its founding father, and Nigerian democracy icon, Chief Pa. Frank Ovie Kokori, the Etebebe of Agbon kingdom, Delta State.

 

Chief Kokori passed just a day short of marking his 80th birthday. He was a notable nationalist and former Secretary General of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

Chief Kokori stamped his feet on the sand of time as a frontline activist and hero of democracy in Nigeria in the dark days of military authoritarianism, where only the brave speak truth to power. And he became the symbol of democratic consciousness in the country and the June 12 movement. Young adults of today missed out on the fierce crusade to retrieve power from the Military. Hence, they must cherish the absolute freedom they enjoy today and never encourage anarchy.

In a press statement signed by the Party State Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, who is coincidentally a blood relation of the demise sage, he expressed absolute shock and sadness over Chief Kokori’s passing, especially when he thought the foremost labor leader, was already recuperating after receiving treatment for his ailment.

Elder Omeni Sobotie reminisced over the late elder statesman’s doggedness, “he led many struggles for the enthronement of true democracy in our nation’s polity. Chief Kokori was often regarded as the moral compass of Nigerian politics, and has shone as a brilliant star to be emulated by the young generation who are in the service of our fatherland.”

“He was at the summit of his activism, from 1993 – 1998, as the Secretary-General, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), using the platform to fight military dictatorship without batting an eyelid. He deployed the Union against the regimes of Gen. IBB and later Gen. Sanni Abacha, through workers’ strikes, public protests, and erudition, as tools of political emancipation.

“The popular June 12 movement would have buckled, without NUPENG mobilizing to cripple fuel distribution across the country. Chief Kokori’s immense contributions to our thriving democracy shall remain indelible in the annals of our national history.

“As a political colossus, Pa. Kokori’s involvement in the establishment and development of the APC in Delta State is immeasurable and cannot be quantified. Indeed, the Delta State APC family would be hard-pressed to find a replacement for the huge vacuum created by the exit of the hero of democracy.

“In the light of the foregoing, I on behalf of the Delta State APC, express the Party’s deepest condolences to his immediate and extended family for the great loss. They must take heart that the patriarch lived a good life, played his role very well, and has gone to join his maker.”

Still paying glowing tributes to the late elder statesman, Elder Sobotie X -rayed the life of Pa. Kokori, as the epitome of a life well spent in the service of humanity and to the glory of God, “Pa. Kokori lived an exemplary life that was solely dedicated to the advancement and upliftment of the common man, a commitment to the struggles of pushing the downtrodden up the socio-economic ladder.”

Elder Sobotie while praying for the repose of the soul of our beloved Pa. Kokori urged party faithful to put the family that he left behind in their prayers, and that the Lord should grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“Adieu Etebebe, the irrepressible pillar of democracy. May your gentle soul rest peacefully with the Almighty.” Amen!