FORMER PRESIDENTIAL AIDE DOYIN OKUPE DECLARES HE WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT PETER OBI
POLITICS - Posted on: 5th Nov. 2024 at 7:01PM
By Gbemisola Onigbanjo
Doyin Okupe, former presidential spokesperson and director of Peter Obi's 2023 presidential campaign, announced he would no longer support the former Anambra State governor. Okupe’s decision follows remarks made by Obi that Okupe described as divisive, affecting the Yoruba community's sensibilities.
Okupe, who stepped down from Obi's campaign following a court conviction for money laundering and later resigned from the Labour Party after the election, has since shown support for President Bola Tinubu's administration. Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, Okupe expressed discontent with Obi’s recent statements regarding economic hardship in the South-West region, even with Tinubu, a prominent Yoruba figure, as president.
In a widely shared video, Obi pointed to high costs, such as rice reaching approximately N100,000, questioning if regional affiliation has eased economic burdens. “Let us talk about what is happening today…‘It’s our turn,’ ‘he is a Yoruba man’—ask the people in Ogun, is there any place you people buy bread cheaper?” Obi remarked.
Okupe stated, “When Obi made that statement, it insulted us. I am a Yoruba man; I left everything and followed Obi. For the first time, [former President] Obasanjo left his circle of influence and supported Obi. I do not regret supporting Peter Obi, but now I cannot do it again. The reason why I did it was because we agreed that a southern president must emerge.”
Okupe emphasized that he would never publicly disparage Obi, acknowledging his role in Obi's political ascent. “I cannot hate Peter Obi; I am sentimentally attached to him. Peter Obi was my project, and I am part of those who built him up,” he said, adding that Obi’s recent comments stirred discontent among Yoruba supporters.
Reflecting on the cultural and political implications, Okupe continued, “When the sensibilities of some of us are affected, especially on a zonal level, I am primarily a Yoruba man…If I cannot speak the truth at my age, then there is no point in living. What Peter Obi said was wrong…he implied that people in Ogun State should ask if they are buying bread cheaper under Tinubu’s administration.”
By Gbemisola Onigbanjo Doyin Okupe, former presidential spokesperson and director of Peter Obi's 2023 presidential campaign, announced he would no longer support the former Anambra State governor. Okupe’s decision follows remarks made by Obi that Okupe described as divisive, affecting the Yoruba community's sensibilities.
Okupe, who stepped down from Obi's campaign following a court conviction for money laundering and later resigned from the Labour Party after the election, has since shown support for President Bola Tinubu's administration. Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, Okupe expressed discontent with Obi’s recent statements regarding economic hardship in the South-West region, even with Tinubu, a prominent Yoruba figure, as president.
In a widely shared video, Obi pointed to high costs, such as rice reaching approximately N100,000, questioning if regional affiliation has eased economic burdens. “Let us talk about what is happening today…‘It’s our turn,’ ‘he is a Yoruba man’—ask the people in Ogun, is there any place you people buy bread cheaper?” Obi remarked.
Okupe stated, “When Obi made that statement, it insulted us. I am a Yoruba man; I left everything and followed Obi. For the first time, [former President] Obasanjo left his circle of influence and supported Obi. I do not regret supporting Peter Obi, but now I cannot do it again. The reason why I did it was because we agreed that a southern president must emerge.”
Okupe emphasized that he would never publicly disparage Obi, acknowledging his role in Obi's political ascent. “I cannot hate Peter Obi; I am sentimentally attached to him. Peter Obi was my project, and I am part of those who built him up,” he said, adding that Obi’s recent comments stirred discontent among Yoruba supporters.
Reflecting on the cultural and political implications, Okupe continued, “When the sensibilities of some of us are affected, especially on a zonal level, I am primarily a Yoruba man…If I cannot speak the truth at my age, then there is no point in living. What Peter Obi said was wrong…he implied that people in Ogun State should ask if they are buying bread cheaper under Tinubu’s administration.”
Posted by: Emdee David
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