Dr. Doyin Okupe, the former Director-General of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, recently clarified that his relationship with the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ended once President Bola Tinubu emerged victorious. Okupe also disclosed that he and Obi had mutually agreed that he would not accept any political position if Obi won the election.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Monday, Okupe addressed criticism from Obi supporters, known as “Obidients,” who had taken to X to criticize him for supporting Tinubu’s economic policies. He stated that those attacking him were uninformed, emphasizing that the interests of Nigeria are far more important than those of any individual or political party.
“I supported Peter Obi out of a deep sense of patriotism and a commitment to national unity, not because I lacked understanding of my standing in national politics. Obi and I agreed that I would not hold any position in his administration if he won. Peter Obi is alive; he can confirm this. If I’m lying, let him say so publicly,” Okupe said.
Okupe explained that both he and Obi left the PDP because they believed the next president should come from the South, ideally an Igbo candidate from the South-East. Despite their loss, Okupe recognized Tinubu’s victory as divinely ordained, stating that his political commitment to Obi ended there.
“For me, our partnership concluded with the Supreme Court ruling, regardless of whether it was right or wrong. There must be order in society. As for the allegations of rigging, I don’t find them credible. Every election in Nigeria has had its issues, yet the country has always moved forward. In the United States, many Republicans still believe the election that brought Biden to power was rigged, but they did not destroy their country over it. Instead, they are preparing for the next election,” he added.
Okupe further explained that his initial support for Obi was rooted in his belief that the presidency should go to the South and specifically to an Igbo candidate, given their historical lack of representation in Nigeria’s highest office.
“I was driven by a sense of justice and fairness, not by any personal loyalty to Obi. Throughout my tenure as campaign DG, I used my own resources and did not receive any financial compensation from Obi. A mutual friend funded my efforts, and I even took out loans to ensure the success of our campaign in the South-West. Peter Obi later reimbursed me months after the campaign,” Okupe revealed.
Addressing the Obidients directly, Okupe noted that they had previously praised him, believing he was merely a politician willing to sacrifice for their cause, but he clarified that they misunderstood his intentions.
Okupe concluded by encouraging Obidients to adopt a broader perspective in their political views, similar to the approach he took as a critic.
