Kokori Cries Out Over Kidney Issues As NUPENG Says He’s Not Abandoned
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has said its former General Secretary, and hero of the struggle for the June 12, 1993 election, Chief Frank Kokori, remained in stable condition and was responding to treatment.
One newspaper had quoted the former NUPENG scribe and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as revealing that he had been hospitalised in Warri, Delta State over kidney-related ailments.
Lamenting his condition in a Save Our Soul (SOS) message made to the general public, and government on, Kokori said he was admitted for treatment at the private hospital for kidney-related ailment but had been having a hard time paying the bills due to harsh economy.
However, addressing journalists on Thursday from his hospital bed, Kokori, who had earlier made a distress call Wednesday night for the media to assemble for his briefing, said he would shame the leaders of the nation, if he survived the ailment.
NUPENG said that although Kokori was weak due to old age and associated issues, he was in a stable state of mind and was responding well to treatment
Speaking in a statement by its President, Prince Williams Akporeha, NUPENG said: “The Leadership of NUPENG has been inundated with series of calls and messages with regards to a very misleading news item making rounds on social media purportedly referring to statements made by Chief Frank Kokori our former General Secretary, on the state of his health and wish to state that the elder statesman has refuted the story credited to him.
“NUPENG wishes to state that the leadership has been and is still in constant touch with our own Frank Ovie Kokori. A quick inquiry from one of his sons who is part of NUPENG leadership revealed that, though the elder statesman is weak due to old age and associated issues but he is in a stable state of mind and responding well to care and treatment from his caregivers and health personnel.
“The elder statesman strongly stated to his son that he was misquoted by the writer.
“NUPENG wishes to further state here that the state of health of comrade Frank Ovie Kokori as well other former leaders of the union are of interest to us and shall continue to give all necessary support within our power without being prompted.”
Kokori led his union against the General Sani Abacha’s military junta in the struggle for the validation of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.
Specifically, he was quoted as saying that NUPENG had abandoned him to his own fate in the hospital, whose air conditioner was switched off by the hospital management possibly owing to shortage of diesel.
Describing the hospital as a “third class” hospital in Warri, he said he had been abandoned by comrades who should cater for his wellbeing.
He charged Journalists to mobilise media houses to help publish his story because “I have something to tell this country, please. Please, do your best. Tell the world that Kokori is dead and risen. The only man in Warri that can handle kidney problems is Horeb Hospital, Warri.
“But I am facing other challenges. The Air Conditioner is not working. And AC can’t keep alive till morning. What a country! Mobilise yourselves. I have something to tell this country, please. Please, do your best.
“Shame to them! How can Kokori be in a third class hospital. The people are trying their best because I know it’s diesel issue. The AC is off. Two of my foster children are here with me. I’ve sent one to meet the hospital management that they should do everything that the AC is switched on, that when I’m out, I will pay. That I’m dying.
“I’ve called on NUPENG that this is what they’ve done to their leaders. That NUPENG could not even take care of me. It’s sad. God bless everybody.”