This post has already been read at least 1160 times!
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Leaders of organised civil society under the auspices of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) have expressed deep grief over the deaths of Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Mr. Dotun Oladipo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Eagle Media Limited and former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
The group described the deaths of the two prominent Nigerians as a significant loss to the labour movement, media profession, civil society and Nigeria’s broader struggle for credible elections, accountable governance and democratic participation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, and signed by Veteran Che Olawale Okunniyi, Head of the National Secretariat of MCE, the organisation said Ugboaja and Oladipo made significant contributions to public life through their respective professional and civic engagements.
The statement was endorsed by prominent civil society and democratic leaders associated with MCE, including Dr. Usman Bugaje, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Prof. Pat Utomi, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, Mallam Tanko Yunusa, Dr. Sam Amadi and others.
MCE particularly recalled Ugboaja’s longstanding involvement in civil society advocacy before his emergence as General Secretary of the NLC.
According to the organisation, Ugboaja served between 2006 and 2009 as Coordinator for Advocacy and Mobilisation at the Alliance for Credible Elections, where he participated in efforts to strengthen citizen participation, electoral accountability and the campaign for credible elections in Nigeria.
MCE said his experience in civil society advocacy, combined with his subsequent role in the labour movement, made his contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development particularly significant.
“His contribution to electoral advocacy remains an important part of his public service legacy,” the organisation stated.
On Oladipo, MCE described his death as a painful loss to the Nigerian media and the democratic community, noting his contributions as a journalist, media executive and former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
The organisation said Oladipo played an important role in the development of Nigeria’s independent online media sector and the wider national conversation on public affairs.
It noted that the media remains central to democracy because of its responsibility to inform citizens, scrutinise those in authority and provide platforms for diverse perspectives.
Although Ugboaja and Oladipo operated in different professional environments, MCE said their public service reflected a shared national aspiration for a democratic Nigeria where citizens’ voices matter, elections are credible, institutions are accountable and political authority derives from the genuine consent of the people.
The group expressed concern that their deaths had occurred at a critical period when Nigeria continued to confront significant challenges surrounding electoral integrity, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.
Their Sacrifices Must Not Be In Vain
MCE urged Nigerians to ensure that the sacrifices and contributions of people who devoted themselves to the country’s democratic development were not rendered meaningless by voter apathy, electoral malpractice, political exclusion, manipulation of democratic institutions or the normalisation of impunity.
The organisation called on journalists, civil society organisations, labour leaders, political actors, election stakeholders, young people and other democratic forces to remain committed to the struggle for free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
It said every Nigerian who believes that political power should be obtained through the free choice of citizens has a responsibility to defend that principle.
“Every journalist who insists on truth and public accountability contributes to democracy,” MCE stated.
The organisation therefore urged Nigerians to honour the memories of Ugboaja and Oladipo by defending the democratic space and resisting efforts to undermine citizens’ constitutional right to freely choose their leaders.
MCE further called on the media to remain courageous in performing its watchdog role, while urging civil society and the labour movement to remain vigilant in defending democratic values.
Political actors, it added, should respect the sovereignty of the electorate, while citizens should remain active participants in Nigeria’s democratic development rather than spectators.
“Their voices may have fallen silent, but the ideals they served must continue to speak,” the organisation said.
MCE extended its condolences to the families, colleagues, professional associates, comrades, friends and communities of both deceased Nigerians, praying that their memories would inspire renewed commitment to the pursuit of credible elections and accountable democratic governance in Nigeria.
This post has already been read at least 1160 times!
About the Author
