27th June, 2014
Prominent Nigerians, including retired Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and Chief Segun Osoba were among guests at a book launch in Lagos to commemorate the 70th birthday of Chief Frank Kokori.
The book entitled, “Frank Kokori: the Struggle for June 12”, is a memoir by Kokori, an activist and former Secretary-General of NUPENG.
Kokori clocked 70 on June 25, 2014.
Speaking at the event, Kanu, the Chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), who also chaired the event lauded Kokori for his contributions in enthroning democracy in Nigeria.
“Kokori made so much sacrifice. If not for the struggle of June 12, Nigeria would have continued to experience transformed maximum rulership,” Kanu said.
Also speaking, Osoba lamented that many of those who struggled for June 12 were not the ones enjoying the outcome of the struggle.
“Only 49 of us signed the document when NADECO was formed behind Abiola. The youngest of us then was Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information.”
Osoba said “the reason why many of those who struggled for June 12 did not get into power is because of the guarded handover of power carried out by the military.
“ I am here today, to celebrate Kokori and my survival too. It was alleged that I gave Kokori up but I thank God he survived, otherwise, I would have been blamed for it,” Osoba said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, represented by his aide, Mr. Adinoyi Ojo, said that there was no better person to tell the inside story of June 12 than Kokori
“We must never forget his contributions and personal sacrifices.
“We have Kokori and others to thank as we celebrate 15 years of democracy in Nigeria,” Atiku said.
Senator Bola Tinubu, represented by a former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Dele Aleke, described Kokori as a man of high repute.
“ I am aware of his role in the struggle for June 12 actualisation. I thank and appreciate him for the role he has played and still playing for the enthronement of genuine democracy in Nigeria.
“In spite of Kokori’s incarceration and torture, he remained a symbol of consistency, perseverance, responsibility and a galvaniser of oil workers that staged massive protests for the emancipation of Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
Reviewing the book, Mr. Kayode Komolafe, the Deputy Managing Director of ThisDay Newspapers, described the book as distinguishable from other books on June 12.
“The book is geared towards provoking more books on June 12.
The book, “Frank Kokori:: The Struggle for June 12”, tells the story of the struggle from Kokori’s perspective,” the reviewer said.
In his response, Kokori said that he wrote the book to showcase the gladiators who helped Nigeria to attain democratic governance but had been neglected in the nation’s political dispensations.
“The book is a candid account of my roles and the roles that other heroes played in the quest to revalidate the June 12, 1993 presidential election.”
Kokori, however, lamented that politics in Nigeria was being driven by money, urging Nigerians to rise above inducements in selecting their leaders.
Also at the event were son of late Chief MKO Abiola, Mr. Abdul Abiola, Mrs. Ganiyat Fawehinmi (wife of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi), Senator Biyi Durojaiye and representatives of civil society groups.
