Frank Kokori, an elder statesman and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has sadly passed away. He was the former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). Kokori died on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 1:30 am, which happened to be his 80th birthday.
According to Tribune, Kokori’s personal assistant, Atawada Barry Oke, announced his passing at around 2:30 am. Oke revealed that Kokori’s health had deteriorated on Monday, and he was unable to interact with those around him. He was placed on life support.
Kokori’s death comes just one month after he spoke out from his hospital bed on November 9, 2023. He expressed his frustration at being neglected and abandoned despite his significant contributions to the country’s democratic growth.
The octogenarian had been receiving treatment for a kidney-related ailment at Mount Horeb Clinic in Warri, Delta State, since early November. On November 9, he made a distress call, stating that his life was slipping away. He complained about being abandoned in the hospital, where the air conditioner was turned off due to a shortage of diesel.
Kokori expressed his willingness to be taken abroad for medical treatment by the Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu, with whom he had fought against the military junta of General Sani Abacha in the early 90s over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections.
His outcry in November attracted the attention of dignitaries, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who visited him in the hospital and covered the bills for him and two other patients.
By: Eghosa-Osawe Jr.
