Okon Uya, Electoral Boss During Babangida Era, Passed Away

An ex- Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), during the Babangida era, Professor Okon Uya, is dead.

A staff of the University of Uyo and a sibling of the deceased, Mr Edet Uya, confirmed that Prof Okon Uya died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) in the afternoon of April 17, 2014, Thursday.

“I feel very bad. He has been my mentor, but I thank God for everything. He gave his life to God before he passed on.
“Now, we have to give him a befitting burial as he was an international figure," the brother of the former electoral boss said.

One of the late Uya’s associates, Dr Edwin Madunagu, said:

“My reaction is not of a shock because, like many of us, he was not in excellent health for some time now.

“I know, philosophically, that such a thing could happen to any of us in that type of age bracket.
“But his passing on saddens me because the relationship I had with this man was the type of relationship I have with some frontline Nigerian statesmen. 

“It was unique and unique in the sense that it is two-sided. One side he is seen and expected by the public, and the other is private. 

“In summary, I will say Uya was a progressive and a socialist.”

The late ex- NECON boss was a professor of African-American History and one-time Nigerian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Argentina.

He had served as NECON chairman after Babangida dismissed Professor Humphrey Nwosu, after the annulled presidential election on June 12, 1993, won convincingly by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
Rest in peace.