……Want Their National Services and democratic struggles honored.
Leaders of the organized civil society under the auspices of Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) mourn the passing of two Nigerians whose lives and public services significantly advanced the struggle for democracy, accountable governance, civic participation and credible elections — Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and former Coordinator for Advocacy and Mobilisation, at the Alliance for Credible Elections, ACE 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
In statement signed by Olawale Okunniyi (Veteran Che), Head, National Secretariat, Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) Wednesday, 2nd September, 2026 stated that:
“The Movement under the leadership of 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, Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, among others extends its deepest condolences to the families, colleagues, professional associates, comrades, friends and communities of both departed Nigerians at this difficult moment.
“MCE describes the death of Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja as a major loss to the labour movement, civil society and the struggle for credible elections in Nigeria, stating that long before his emergence as General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ugboaja played an active role in civil-society advocacy. Between 2006 and 2009, he served as Coordinator for Advocacy and Mobilization, at the Alliance for Credible Elections, where he contributed to efforts aimed at strengthening citizen participation, electoral accountability and the pursuit of credible elections in Nigeria. For the MCE, his contribution to electoral advocacy remains an important part of his public service legacy.
“The MCE also regrets the unexpected demise of Mr Dotun Oladipo, taking it as a painful loss to the Nigerian media as well as the democratic community- as a journalist, media executive and former President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, Oladipo contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s independent online media space and the broader democratic conversation. His commitment to journalism and public-interest communication represented an important contribution to the democratic process, particularly as the media remains central to informing citizens, scrutinizing those in authority and providing platforms for diverse voices in the media space
“Although Oladipo and Ugboaja served in different professional and institutional capacities, their paths reflected a common national aspiration – the building of a democratic Nigeria in which citizens’ voices matter, elections are credible, institutions are accountable and public authority derives from the genuine consent of the people. Their passing therefore comes at a time when Nigeria still faces important challenges in the quest for free, fair, transparent and credible elections, especially in the face of the fast approaching 2027.
Their Sacrifices Must Not Be In Vain
The Leaders however calls on Nigerians, especially journalists, civil-society organisations, labour leaders, political actors, election stakeholders, young people and democratic forces across the country, to remain committed to the struggle for electoral integrity in Nigeria
The sacrifices made by men and women who have contributed to Nigeria’s democratic struggle must not be rendered meaningless by voter apathy, electoral malpractice, political exclusion, manipulation of democratic institutions or the growing normalization of impunity.
The struggle for credible elections must continue.
Every Nigerian who believes that political power should be obtained through the free choice of citizens has a responsibility to defend this principle. Every journalist who insists on truth and public accountability contributes to democracy.
The MCE therefore calls on Nigerians to honour the memories of Dotun Oladipo and Emmanuel Ugboaja by refusing to surrender the democratic space to those who seek to undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Their voices may have fallen silent, but the ideals they served must continue to speak.
We urge the media to remain courageous in its watchdog role, the organized civil-society and labour movement to remain vigilant in defending democratic values, political actors to respect the sovereignty of the electorate, and citizens to remain active participants rather than spectators in Nigeria’s democratic development.
To the families of Mr. Dotun Oladipo and Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, we offer our heartfelt condolences.
May their memories inspire us to do more — not less — in the pursuit of free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
