Ariyo-Dare Atoye, a civil rights campaigner and election reform activist, is dead.
He passed on in Abuja on Thursday, October 27, 2022, afternoon after a protracted battle with lung cancer, close friends confirmed to The Trent from the hospital. He was 42.
Mr Atoye, a trained news reporter who spent years covering national affairs for the News Agency of Nigeria, joined civil rights activism in the late aughts. After a brief foray into politics under the PDP administration of Goodluck Jonathan, he returned to activism and co-founded the Centre for Civil Liberty which he monitored out of Abuja.
Under the centre and in partnership with several other civil rights groups and activists that included Deji Adeyanju and Omoyele Sowore, Mr Atoye sought stringent accountability from the Buhari regime, which quickly became a worrisome authority for many rights activists in Nigeria and beyond following its inauguration in May 2015.
Over the past half-decade, Mr Atoye has led a campaign for electoral reform in Nigeria, and his contributions to the recent changes to electoral guidelines by the Nigerian parliament were widely acknowledged.
After weeks of silence as he battled the ruthless disease that was spreading rapidly through his body, Mr Atoye posted a message to on Twitter, acknowledging support from friends and family while asking everyone to keep hope alive.
“I have done nothing to deserve all the prayers, calls, good will, generous donations, financial supports, efforts, love and affection,” he said on October 23.
The day of Thanksgiving will come and we shall all celebrate.
I’m not broken. I can’t be broken. Too late to be broken. I have God.
Thank you, all.
Ariyo-Dare Atoye 2/2
— Sir. Ariyo-Dare Atoye (@AriyoAristotle) October 23, 2022
Our correspondent gathered that arrangements were being made by his friends to facilitate his travel abroad for medical treatment.
Condolences have poured in from his friends namely Ohimai Amaize, Omoyele Sowore, Ndi Kato, Cheta Nwanze, Abdul Mahmood, and several other activists on Twitter.
Just received devastating news of the passing of human rights activist @AriyoAristotle. I’m still in shock. He was resilient in the fight against oppression and injustice in Nigeria and remained passionate till the end. He was a good man. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace. 💔
— Ohimai Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) October 27, 2022
Today, we lost an amazing human being to the cold hands of death. Rest in Power @AriyoAristotle! Sad day! pic.twitter.com/1CUZkFxwki
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) October 27, 2022
Rest in Peace my brother, my friend… @AriyoAristotle ❤
— Ndi Kato (@YarKafanchan) October 27, 2022
My colleague in chambers has just drawn my attention to the breaking news… we are devastated by the death of @AriyoAristotle. He was a friend of my law firm.
Ariyo.
No.— Dr Great Oracle (@AbdulMahmud01) October 27, 2022
Comrade Ariyo is dead? Oh God 💔
Rest In Peace @AriyoAristotle 🕊
— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) October 27, 2022
September 26th, Comrade @AriyoAristotle was in my DM sharing some strategies with me that would drive PVC collection and encouraging me to keep the fight going and never give up. Little did I know that it was going to be our last chat. I miss you, my comrade. 💔😭🙏
— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) October 27, 2022
So long, @AriyoAristotle, and thanks for the debates.
— Chxta (@Chxta) October 27, 2022
Memories :::
In St. Petersburg, Russia – 2018 World Cup.
With my dear, School Mate, Room Mate (several occasions), friend and brother – @AriyoAristotle
May God Rest his gentle soul 😢 pic.twitter.com/ISqH5Ee8yr
— BIG JOE OF LAGOS 🇳🇬🇫🇷(PhD) (@JosephOnuorah) October 27, 2022
It breaks my heart to announce the death of a vibrant activist and social justice crusader.
Sir Ariyo. @AriyoAristotle 💔💔💔
Rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus christ, until we meet to depart no more. You are a treasure we your friends will forever miss.R.I.P Sir 🕯️🕯️🕯️🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/WBRECTfvqy
— 99% OPPRESSED (@Truthfully83) October 27, 2022
He was survived by his wife and children.
