Doyin Okupe, Influential Ex-Presidential Spokesperson, Passes Away at 72

The deceased is Dr. Doyin Okupe, the former presidential spokesperson for former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

Okupe, 72, of Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government area, Ogun State, passed away early Friday morning after reportedly being ill for a while.

Our correspondent was informed on Friday by Jamiu Ashimi, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, that the physician-turned-politician had passed away.

"I just confirmed the tragic news of Dr. Doyin Okupe's passing," Ashimi stated. I hope his soul finds peace.

In a phone call with our correspondent, a friend of the late politician, Chief Michael Adesanya, the Asojuoba of Isara Remo, also stated, "Dr. Okupe has been confirmed to have died early Friday morning in Lagos."

Okupe served as President Olusegun Obasanjo's Special Assistant on Media and Publicity and President Goodluck Jonathan's Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs.

Additionally, he formerly served as the Director-General for Peter Obi's 2023 presidential campaign.

However, there were controversies along the way.

Okupe left Obi's campaign in December 2022 after being found guilty of violating some provisions of the money laundering laws.

Okupe was found guilty by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, who presided over the case, of violating sections 16(1) and (2) of the Money Laundering Act by accepting more money than was permitted by the Act without going via a financial institution.

Following the repercussions from the general election in 2023, he later left the Labour Party and turned into a strong advocate for President Bola Tinubu's government, regularly participating in political discussions and commentary.

Okupe was renowned for his unvarnished views and audacious political position. He was a well-respected political figure because of his ability to handle Nigeria's complicated political environment.

He was a doctor who served as the National Republican Convention's National Publicity Secretary and co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre.

The late politician was a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State.