President Bola Tinubu has led tributes for a former presidential spokesman Doyin Okupe who died on Friday morning, describing the late politician as one who played “a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape”.
Okupe died at 72 following a battle with illness.
In his tribute to the Ogun-born politician, Tinubu’s spokesman Bayo Onanuga said Okupe was “a bold and articulate advocate for national development” and expressed “deep sorrow over his passing at a time when his wealth of experience and insight were still invaluable to the nation”.
Onanuga in a statement said Tinubu commiserates with “the government and people of Ogun State, particularly the Iperu-Remo community, who have lost an esteemed son and leader”.
“He recognises Prince Okupe’s enduring impact on his home state and the deep void his passing leaves in the hearts of those who came in direct contact with him,” the statement read.
Okupe worked with Peter Obi who flew the Labour Party (LP)’s flag in the 2023 presidential election. He was the party’s presidential campaign Director-General but left.
Saddened by his death, Obi said the former LP chieftain was an “active figure in the nation’s political space and a man who desired a better Nigeria”.
Obi in a post on his X handle described his death as “a profound loss – not only to his family and loved ones but to all of us”.
“I would therefore like to urge members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr. Okupe’s soul and to remember his family during these trying times,” the former Anambra State governor wrote.
‘He Loved The Nation’
Meanwhile, the LP said it will miss Okupe’s charismatic leadership, according to the party’s national chairman Julius Abure.
A statement by the LP chair on behalf of the opposition party said the news of the death of its former DG was “sudden”.
Abure said “his active participation in the Labour Party’s push for the presidency in 2023 clearly revealed his inspirational and charismatic self as well as his statesmanship. He loved the nation and he believed that a new Nigeria was possible.
“Though he resigned his membership of the party last year based on principles, his fraternity with the party didn’t cease, and neither did he stop giving us invaluable advices. We cherished his short but impactful association with the party leadership. He was lively, energetic, honest, and creative; great virtues we will be missing in him,” the LP chief said.
“Certainly, Nigeria has lost an astute politician whose desire for a great nation was unquestionable.
“We believe that though he still has so much to offer this nation, death has brutally forced him to write the last chapter of his life. As is often said, death is a necessary end that must come when it must come, for Doyin, it was time to bid him a tearful farewell.”
Similarly, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has commiserated with the family of a former presidential aide, Dr Doyin Okupe, and the country as a whole.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Organising Secretary of the organisation, Kole Omololu.
The statement read, “The Afenifere family mourns the passing of Dr Doyin Okupe, a statesman, public servant, and fearless advocate of progressive politics in Nigeria. His death is a profound loss to the nation and to all who knew him as a bold, articulate, and unwavering voice in the political landscape.
“Dr Okupe was a man of immense courage, intellect, and conviction. He played a significant role in shaping national discourse, offering his expertise and insight in service to multiple administrations.
As a presidential spokesperson and adviser, he brought clarity and depth to governance, always standing firm in his beliefs, even in the face of opposition.
“A political strategist of remarkable dexterity, he navigated Nigeria’s turbulent political waters with resilience. His role in the 2023 elections underscored his adaptability, demonstrating a commitment to national progress beyond personal ambition. Even when confronted with challenges, he remained resolute, refusing to be silenced by adversity.”
The statement added that the Afenifere acknowledged Dr Okupe’s contributions to national development and his dedication to the democratic process.
“His voice, once a commanding presence in political affairs, will be sorely missed. He was a patriot in word and deed, unafraid to challenge power while offering constructive counsel.
“Nigeria has lost a strong and independent thinker, a man who understood the weight of leadership and the responsibility of public service.
“His passing leaves a void, but his legacy will endure in the annals of our nation’s history. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who mourn him. May his soul find eternal rest,” the statement concluded.
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