Chief Frank Ovie Kokori is a labour leader respected for his role in the struggle to revalidate the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by business mogul, Bashorun Moshood Abiola. As Secretary General of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Kokori confronted the military junta by refusing to call off the strike action embarked upon by NUPENG, until he was apprehended and detained for some years at the Baga Prisons. In this interview, Kokori reveals to EMMANUEL UKUDOLO what June 12 stands for and why it is marked with public holiday in the South West.


What have we gained by the yearly celebration of June 12?


The military dictatorship of that era led by General Babangida annulled June 12, 1993 election and as you well know, the June 12 election was the freest and fairest election ever conducted in this country. The military did it arbitrarily because of their dictatorship, and it was at that time that the Nigerian civil society, including the labour movement and all the progressive elements in this country for the first time rose in unison to challenge the Nigerian military who felt at that time that no body, no organ of government can challenge them. And at that time, the people challenged the military and at the end of the day the Nigerian military was humiliated out of power. That was why Babangida stepped aside, and even with Abacha, the fight continued until the man dropped dead. And finally we now have our democracy. So, it is to celebrate the man who sacrificed his life to symbolise that struggle. That is Abiola. We will not let that memory die in the annals of Nigeria’s history. For you the younger generation if we don’t do it, you will not know what happened 20 years ago, to bring out this democracy that is the basis for this celebration. To read more click here:http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/06/24/state-legislators-kitchen-girls-of-governors-kokori/