Okupe Affirms Loyalty to Peter Obi Despite Political Differences
By Matthew Eloyi
Former presidential spokesperson, Doyin Okupe has reaffirmed his loyalty to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, stating he would never publicly criticise Obi due to his significant role in Obi’s political rise.
Okupe, who served as director of Obi’s presidential campaign before stepping down following a court conviction on money laundering, also resigned from the Labour Party post-election.
Since his departure, he has become a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Okupe addressed remarks he recently made regarding Obi.
He clarified that his comments were not an attack on Obi but a correction concerning a statement attributed to Obi about Yoruba people.
“I cannot hate Peter Obi; I am sentimentally attached to Peter Obi. Peter Obi was my project, and I am part and parcel of those who built Peter Obi up. I can’t publicly denigrate that or bring down that house,” Okupe said on the programme.
Okupe explained that his response was motivated by a sense of duty to his Yoruba heritage, especially after Obi allegedly referenced the Yoruba phrase “Emi lokan” (It’s my turn) in a way Okupe believed misrepresented its context.
“If I cannot speak the truth at my age, then there is no point to live,” Okupe stated. “When Bola Tinubu said emi lokan, he was addressing APC delegates within the premises of Ogun State government, not the nation or a rally. What Peter Obi said was wrong… they should ask people in Ogun State whether they are buying bread cheaper.”
Tinubu’s emi lokan speech, delivered in June 2022, became a defining moment in his campaign, as he urged APC delegates to support his bid for the presidency amid challenges within his party and the presidency.
