Elder statesman and former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori said he is dying in a hospital bed.
In a distressed call made to our correspondent at about 12:40 a.m. on Thursday, the Abacha nightmare said life was fast ebbing out of him where he’s receiving treatment for kidney-related ailment.
Kokori, who’s a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC in Delta State, described himself in a voice laden with excruciating pains that he’s “dead and risen.”
He lamented how NUPENG had abandoned him in the hospital where the air conditioner was switched off by the hospital management possibly owing to a shortage of diesel.
The Ovu-born fiery labour leader complained over the idea of being abandoned in what he described as a “third class” hospital in Warri by those who should cater for his wellbeing.
Hear him: “Tell the world that Kokori is dead and risen. The only man in Warri who can handle kidney problems is Horeb Hospital Warri.
“But I’m facing other challenges. The Air Conditioner is not working. And AC can keep alive till morning. What a country!
“Mobilise yourselves. I have something to tell this country, please. Please, do your best.
“Tell them that I can pay any amount, but let them switch on the AC for me because I’m dying.
“The AC went off. Please do your best. Flash it. I can come alive again but I just want the world to know that if I survive, I’ll shame the leaders of this country.
“Shame on them. How can Kokori be in a third-class hospital? The People are trying their best O because I know it’s a 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’ll 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.”
The septuagenarian is said to have been in the hospital for some time, now before his distress call came in the wee hours of Thursday.
Recall that Chief Kokori was at the forefront of the struggle to reclaim the mandate of the late winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, which was annulled by the then President Badamosi Babangida and sustained by his successor, the late General Sani Abacha.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
