By Austin Ogwuda
Fire-brand foremost Labour leader, Chief Frank Kokori blasted the NUPENG where he once served as the General Secretary during his prime for abandoning him while he was very sick and admitted in the hospital.
Reproduced herewith was Kokori’s bitter lamentation barely a month ago.
His words, “Tell them that I can pay any amount, but let them switch on the AC (air-conditioning system) for me because I am 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 will shame the leaders of this country. 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 am dying.
“I have called on NUPENG that this is what they have done to their leader. That NUPENG could not even take care of me. It is sad”, he lamented.
Thanks to the power of social media ( credible ones) as the news trended, Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori immediately dashed there.
Not only visiting and waving hands, he sat on the same hospital bed with ailing Kokori having a tete a tete at Horeb Hospital.The governor, during the visit instructed the hospital management to do whatever it takes to get the elder statesman back on his feet at the expense of the State government, noting that Chief Frank Ovie Kokori deserves the attention and support of the State Government as a renowned elder statesman who had paid his dues for good governance for the nation.
The Governor who also paid hospital bills for two other patients, Nnadi Silas and Adenusi Michael at the same hospital, said: “I know people will think that because he is an APC chieftain I won’t be here, Deltans voted for me as Governor. It is not a party matter now because we have finished election and all of us are one.
“Whether he is APC or not, am Governor for all Deltans, so am here as Governor for all, not for any party,” the governor was reported saying.
Responding, Chief Frank Kokori commended Governor Oborevwori for behaving like the Yorubas who treat their elder statesmen well irrespective of their party or political leanings.
“I never knew Governor Oborevwori is a good man because immediately he heard about my condition, he came to see me.
“He wasn’t close to me, it is Great Ogboru and Ovie Omo-Agege and co that are close to me so am so happy that he is not a mean fellow”.