By Abigail Philip David
Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson to ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, has passed away at the age of 72.
Okupe, who hailed from Iperu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, reportedly passed away in the early hours of Friday in Lagos after battling an illness.
The Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Jamiu Ashimi, confirmed his death, saying, “I just confirmed the tragic news of the passing of Dr. Doyin Okupe. May his soul rest in peace.”
A close associate, Chief Michael Adesanya, the Asojuoba of Isara Remo, also confirmed his passing during a phone conversation, stating that Okupe died early Friday morning in Lagos.
Okupe’s Political Journey
A trained physician turned politician, Okupe was a key figure in Nigerian politics. He served as:
- Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo
- Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan
- Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign
Despite his political influence, Okupe’s career was marked by controversies. In December 2022, he resigned from Obi’s campaign after being convicted of violating money laundering laws. A court found him guilty of receiving cash beyond the legal limit without passing through a financial institution.
Following the 2023 general election, he left the Labour Party and later became a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, frequently engaging in political debates.
A Life of Influence
Okupe was known for his bold political stance and unfiltered opinions, navigating Nigeria’s complex political landscape with confidence.
Before venturing into politics, he co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre and served as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He was also a former governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.
His death marks the end of a significant era in Nigeria’s political and media landscape.
