Ariyo-Dare Atoye, a champion of human rights and the executive director of the Adopt A Goal Initiative, has passed away.
The activist died on Thursday in Abuja as was shared on Twitter by his colleague, Deji Adeyanju.
“My brother comrade Ariyo-Dare Atoye has gone to be with the Lord. He was looking at me till the last moment. From God, we came, and it is certain to Him we will return,” Deji wrote on Thursday afternoon.
According to Sahara Reporters, the activist died of lung cancer in a hospital in Abuja.
In a brief text message sent from his hospital bed to Sahara Reporters in mid-October, the activist, whose health had been declining for weeks, pleaded for Nigerians to pray for his survival.
The text message read, "Activist Ariyo-Dare Atoye is in a critical health condition. Down but not out, Jesus got me, pray for me."
Atoye was a leading advocate for human rights who opposed oppression, injustice, and forces as well as behaviors that aimed to erode civic and media space.
Through a coalition named Civil Society Partners on Electoral Reform, CiSPER,
the activist was instrumental in the passing and signing into law of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022. He led several demonstrations against the initial delay in passing the bill.
Atoye was a skilled news reporter who worked for the News Agency of Nigeria for years covering national issues.
He joined the civil rights movement in the late eighties.
After briefly entering politics during Goodluck Jonathan's presidency, he returned to activism and co-founded the Centre for Civil Liberty, which he supervised from Abuja.
Under the umbrella of the center and in collaboration with several other civil rights organizations and activists, including Deji Adeyanju and Omoyele Sowore, Mr. Atoye demanded strict accountability from the Buhari administration.
Mr. Atoye spearheaded a movement for electoral reform in Nigeria for the past five years, and his input in the recent changes to the electoral guidelines carried out by the Nigerian legislature was widely recognized.
After being silent for weeks following his critical health condition, Mr. Atoye released a statement on Twitter thanking friends and family for their support and urging everyone to hold onto hope.
“I have done nothing to deserve all the prayers, calls, goodwill, generous donations, financial support, efforts, love, and affection,” he said on October 23.
Peoples Gazette reported that Anthony Ehilebo, a longtime friend of Mr. Atoye has bemoaned his passing saying, “He was very passionate about Nigeria and struggled consistently to ensure sustainable changes to our election and public service accountability.”
"I am broken." Mr. Ehilebo said.
Mr. Atoye was survived by his wife and children.
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