By SUNNY OKIM

The Pro Democracy Movement of Nigeria has asked all its allies in particular, and all Nigerians as a whole, to go into a 7-day mourning period in honour of the late activist, Comrade Yinka Odumakin beginning Tuesday, April 6.

The declaration was contained in a press statement issued earlier today signed by the

Media Assistant,

June 12 Movement of Nigeria, Mr Obafemi Oluwabori, and made available to News Express.

During the mourning period, activists are expected to

adorn a spot of black in their outfit.

The statement reads in part:

"Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, Convener of the June 12 Pro Democracy Movement of Nigeria has announced a 7 days mourning of Nigerian Pro Democracy Activists for the loss of Mr Yinka Odumakin, who passed to the great beyond this morning in Lagos after a brief illness.

"Okunniyi, while addressing leaders of the June 12 Movement virtually this morning said Yinka Odumakin was one the fiercest and most prolific comrades of the Pro Democracy Movement in Nigeria, who spent most of his adult life fighting the cause of a just and equitable Nigeria and therefore deserves to be immortalized by the Pro Democracy Movement.

"Odumakin and others in the National Conscience Party, NCP led by Chief Gani Fawehinmi of blessed memory, teamed up with the Campaign for Democracy, CD led by Dr Beko Ransome Kuti in the 90s to flush military rule out of power. As fate would have it he met his heartrob and greatest supporter, Joe Okei in the cause of that struggle, which led to the restoration of the present democratic rule in Nigeria"

"Yinka and his wife, Joe Okei Odumakin, were also pioneer founders of the June 12 Stakeholders Group, which later metamorphosed into the June 12 Coalition and later June 12 Pro Democracy Movement of Nigeria. So he has paid his dues for Nigeria and deserves to be mourned and immortalized by the Pro Democracy Movement of Nigeria."

Okunniyi said the Movement, in the course of the seven days national mourning, shall open condolence registers in its offices in Abuja and Lagos and shall expect Nigerian Pro Democracy activists to adorn a spot of black in their outfit during the seven days period, which commences on Tuesday, April 6 to Monday, April 12, 2021.

"On behalf of the entire Pro Democracy Movement, I commiserate with the Odumakin family, especially his wife, Joe Okei Odumakin, whom he called the pride of the civil society struggle and Afenifere, the Pan Yoruba Organization, which Odumakin served till he passed, praying that God grant them the grace to bear the huge irreparable loss of Yinka Odumakin," Okunniyi added.

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