President Bola Tinubu on Friday extended his condolences to the family, friends and associates of Prince Doyin Okupe, a medical doctor, politician, who died on Friday at 72.
Tinubu described Okupe as a bold and articulate advocate for national development, expressing sorrow over his death at a time when his wealth of experience and insight were still invaluable to the nation.
The President commiserated with the government and people of Ogun, particularly the Iperu-Remo community, who lost an esteemed son and leader, Mr Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, said in a statement.
He recognised Okupe’s enduring impact on his home state and the deep void his passing left in the hearts of those who came in direct contact with him.
Okupe served as President Goodluck Jonathan’s Senior Special Assistant on public affairs and President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media.
“During his political career of over three decades, Okupe served as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
“He was prominent in the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Accord Party, of which he was the national leader,” said the President.
Abiodun describes Okupe’s death as personal loss
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has described the death of Dr Doyin Okupe as a personal loss.
Abiodun stated this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade.
The governor said that Okupe’s passing came shortly after the demise of a revered figure, the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo.
Abiodun, who paid tribute to Okupe’s lifelong service to Nigeria, noted that he remained a patriotic statesman and a committed member of the progressive political family until his final moments.
“Receiving the news of the passing of my elder brother, Dr Doyin Okupe has left me with a profound sense of personal loss.
“Without a doubt, Okupe’s departure leaves a void that will not be easily filled.
“Beyond his political and professional engagements, Dr Okupe was an easy-going and principled individual who, despite never flaunting his credentials, played a significant role in Nigeria’s resistance to military rule.
“Like many other democracy advocates, he endured detention and persecution under military regimes, standing firm in his convictions,” he said.
Abiodun acknowledged Okupe’s fluid political journey, emphasising that while his affiliations changed over time, his relationships with family, friends and associates remained intact.
“Although he shifted political alliances as situations evolved, aligning with the National Republican Convention (NRC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Accord Party, and the Labour Party.
“He never severed ties with his friends across political platforms. Even after the 2023 general election, he openly admired and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s progressive vision,” Abiodun said.
The governor concluded his tribute with a heartfelt prayer: “It is my sincere prayer that Almighty God grants his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
It was gathered that Okupe, from Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government area of Ogun State, died in the early hours of Friday in Lagos at the age of 72.
Osuntokun mourns former Presidential Spokesman, Okupe
A former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Akin Osuntokun, has mourned the passing of a former Presidential Spokesman, Dr Doyin Okupe.
Okupe died in the early hours of Friday at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos.
Osuntokun, a former NAN Managing Director ,told a correspondent of the agency that Okupe contributed greatly to the nation’s democracy.
“He (Okupe) made his own unique contributions to Nigerian politics, there is no way anybody can write about Nigerian politics in the past 50 years without mentioning his name.
“He was a key political figure with great vigour, he brought creativity to the politics of Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace,” Osuntokun said.
Okupe served a Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and later served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan.
He later served as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign, a role Osuntokun assumed after Okupe stepped down.
Okupe became a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, after Tinubu was announced winner of the 2023 presidential election, granting frequent media interviews to voice his support for the President.