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Tag: Doyin Okupe

  • 2023: Why I delayed in picking my running mate – Peter Obi

    2023: Why I delayed in picking my running mate – Peter Obi

    Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi on Friday unveiled his running mate for the 2023 presidential election and gave a reason why he delayed in making his choice.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Peter Obi to have said the delay was a result of the detailed effort he had to put in to search for someone who is eminently qualified for the office of the vice president.

    Recall that the name of Doyin Okupe, Director General of Peter Obi Campaign Organisation had been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a temporary running mate for Peter Obi.

    Okupe’s name was submitted to INEC in order for the Labour Party to beat the deadline set by the commission for the submission of vice presidential candidates.

    However, on Thursday, Okupe submitted a letter to INEC, withdrawing from the position, and paving the way for Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed to emerge as the substantive vice presidential candidate of the party.

    Speaking at the event, Obi said Baba-Ahmed was eminently qualified to bring his private sector and academic achievements to bear in the drive to rescue Nigeria from the primitive politics of ethnicity.

    According to him, the party is able to find somebody who is eminently qualified to be the vice president of Nigeria to secure, unite and make Nigeria productive.

    He said it was the party’s intention to secure, unite and make Nigeria productive and that this could not be done without having people with similar visions and ideas prepared for the task ahead.

    “I have the honour to present to you somebody I can call a friend, a younger brother and God willing the next vice president of Nigeria in the name of Sen.Yusuf Baba-Ahmed.

    “He has been described as one of the brightest, youngest personalities in Nigeria who has distinguished himself in all areas.

    “He brings to this mission a great wealth of experience from his background in the private sector to public sector and a global knowledge that will help in a journey of turning around this country.

    “Today our country is facing so many challenges which I don’t want to mention because we are just here to introduce our Vice Presidential candidate.

    “I will not be doing a great service to the country if I don’t mention some of them, we are today the poverty capital of the world.

    “We are today, hugely indebted; people are hungry and angry and all these are the cumulation of bad leadership”.

    Obi said the party would bring all Nigerians into a big tent where everybody would be involved in ending the primitive politics of ethnicity, religion and all sorts of things.

    He said that the party would have a team of people who would join in building the Nigeria they desired and hoped in the country.

    ”The two of us with the same background will be able to start this process.

    “Now that we have completed the cycle of nominations, we will soon in the next few days or more, be able to come out with policies and manifestos that would be anchored on the 17 SDG positions.

    “This is  because we must rescue this country, ensure that this country is secured; this country is united and this country is productive.”

    Obi said the party would transform the vast lands in the north to oil, adding that land was the equivalent asset and it would be engaged agriculturally.

    He said the country would be transformed and it would be productive again, leveraging on the knowledge of the two candidates from the private sector.

    “It is not just going to be two of us, it is not our election but your election.

    “Those who tell you about structures, tell them your children, your family; you are the structures.

    “They cannot continue to scare us with those words.

    “We will take back our country and even convert them into the structures, their structures will be our structures, they will follow us.”

    Reacting, the Vice Presidential candidate, Yusuf Baba-Ahmed expressed gratitude to the party for considering him as the vice presidential candidate.

    “My task is simple and it is to accept this nomination and this candidacy.

    “The undeniable, unchallengeable fundamental reason for being on this ticket is to rescue Nigeria, and it goes without saying that you can only rescue that which is in trouble; Nigeria is likened to that.

    “I cannot afford not to be part of the movement to rescue Nigeria.

    “The second reason is that I believe in the greatness of Nigeria; I believe there will be peace and prosperity; I believe Nigerian people will unite.”

    Baba-Ahmed said that he would use his educational background and experience to change the nation, adding that the fertile land in the North is the crude oil of the nation and Nigeria’s future would be great.

    “He who was motivated by success in the private sector and fought and became a governor for eight years and since then has maintained integrity and honour, is one that will not fail in campaign promises.

    “He who believes in financial propriety will not engage in political rascality; Peter Obi, he who believes in credibility and integrity in the matter of who to associate with will not mismanage personal, human and community relations, Peter Obi.“

    The Chairman of the Party, Julius Abure, said that the party proved to people that it could achieve any feat, adding the event was a clear message.

    Abure said that the party intentionally went in to search for a competent candidate and found Baba-Ahmed worthy.

    “Those who have held the country hostage should know that it is no longer business as usual .

    ”The time for the people has come, a  people’s movement has come, It is time for the people of Nigeria to be liberated from hunger, from poverty, from unemployment, from insecurity and bad governance.

    “The people have pointed where they want to be in 2023; I am  very happy about the mood of the people, the time of the people has come.”

  • BREAKING: Labour Party unveils Baba-Ahmed as Obi’s running mate

    BREAKING: Labour Party unveils Baba-Ahmed as Obi’s running mate

    The Labour Party of Nigeria has announced Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as running mate to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the party.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the party unveiled Senator Baba-Ahmed as Peter Obi’s running mate during a press briefing held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

    The 46-year-old is the founder of Baze University, Abuja and Baba-Ahmed University Kano State.

    Speaking at the event, Obi said Baba-Ahmed was eminently qualified to bring his private sector and academic achievements to bear in the drive to rescue Nigeria from the primitive politics of ethnicity.

    He named Datti Baba-Ahmed with a promise to commence the process to rescue Nigeria.

    “We must ensure that this country is secured, United and productive. It has been done in many emerging nations before, it is not rocket science” he declared.

    “We are young, energetic and committed the vast land of the North into our future crude oil. From Maiduguri to Abuja, we saw a vast land and we must unlock this missing asset”

    He disclosed that Kano and Kaduna will remain the processing centers for the country. He expressed his confidence in the ability of Baba-Ahmed to utilize his wealth of experience in the ‘Rescue Nigeria Project’.

    “He is a young man, and we know what he can do. He cannot have a Ph.D in Economics for nothing”.

    Obi added that the party will anchor its manifesto in the coming days on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Recall that Doyin Okupe, Director General of Peter Obi Campaign Organisation had submitted a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrawing from the position.

    The Labour Party had submitted the name of Doyin Okupe as their Vice-presidential candidate on a temporary basis to beat the electoral umpire’s deadline.

  • Just In: Obi’s Vice: Baba-Ahmed confirmed as Okupe withdraws

    Just In: Obi’s Vice: Baba-Ahmed confirmed as Okupe withdraws

    Doyin Okupe, the Director-General of Mr Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation has formally resigned his holder’s position as the running mate to the Labour Party Presidential candidate.

    Dr Okupe tendered his resignation letter on Thursday to pave way for the presentation of Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as his substitute.

    The party’s National Chairman Barrister Julius Abure who confirmed Dr Okupe’s resignation assured Obi’s supporters that Senator Baba-Ahmed would be unveiled on Friday.

    He disclosed that his unveiling was initially scheduled to hold Thursday afternoon but had to be shifted to Friday due to the inability of the presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi to get into Abuja on Thursday as expected.

    Abure further added that Mr Obi travelled to Maiduguri, Borono State capital and was billed to return to Abuja Thursday for the ceremony but unfortunately his flight was cancelled.

    Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed according to sources finally accepted to be Mr Peter Obi’s running mate after an intense discussions last Wednesday night.

    The Labour Party had to shift attention to Senator Baba-Ahmed after the crash of the initial romance with the New Nigerian People’s Party Chieftain, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso who declined to be Obi’s Vice.

    The source further said the choice of the former Senator, who is also an economist and a well known anti corruption crusader elicited resounding excitements among the supporters of Obi who believe that they will make a perfect team.

    Senator Baba-Ahmed who is in his forties is also considered by Obi’s supporters who are mostly youths as a good bridge between the old and younger generations.

    Pairing with a much younger person like Baba-Ahmed is equally considering as a means to seamless transition to the new breeds of leadership in the country.

    The former Senator represented Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2097 and was elected Senator for Kaduna North 2011 under the umbrella of All Nigerian People’s Party, (ANPP).

    He is the founder and Pro-chancellor of Baze University Abuja and the the Baze University Hospital which is said to be the biggest private hospital in Africa today.

  • BREAKING: Doyin Okupe withdraws as Peter Obi’s running mate

    BREAKING: Doyin Okupe withdraws as Peter Obi’s running mate

    Doyin Okupe has withdrawn from being the vice presidential candidate to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

    TheNewsuru.com (TNG) reports Doyin Okupe announced his withdrawal on Thursday, disclosing that he has submitted his withdrawal letter to Obi and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He revealed that a replacement will be announced by the national chairman of the LP shortly.

    “This afternoon I submitted my withdrawal letter from the position of the Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party to INEC.

    “A replacement will be announced by the national chairman of the party shortly. I feel greatly blessed to have been part of the foundation of success for the Labour Party,” Okupe stated.

  • PDP: Okupe withdraws from 2023 presidential race to drum support for Peter Obi

    PDP: Okupe withdraws from 2023 presidential race to drum support for Peter Obi

    Presidential hopeful and former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, has stepped down from contesting in the 2023 presidential election to support the ambition of ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

     

    He made this known on Wednesday at a press conference held at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, saying that leader of socio-political group, Aferenire, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, appealed to him to withdraw from the race.

     

    Okupe also enjoined all other Peoples Democratic Party aspirants from the South including Dele Momodu, Pius Anyim, and Nyesom Wike to team up with Obi, who is from the South-East geopolitical zone.

     

    He also accused the PDP leadership of driving presidential aspirants to “fait accompli”, saying “those at the helm of affairs of the party are trying to hoodwink those of us aspirants from the South to commit ourselves to obtain the requisite forms before coming up with the original position that ‘every zone can contest the presidency’.

     

    “This position is politically fraudulent, unjust and inequitable.”

     

    The ex-presidential aide to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan said he had consulted far and wide with the political stakeholders in the South and decided that power be zoned to the South-East in the spirit of fairness.

     

    Okupe, who turned 70 recently, said, “Two weeks ago, Pa Ayo Adebanjo called me for the first time into his bedroom and admonished me that no matter what circumstances we Yorubas find ourselves in the ever gyrating political circus of Nigeria, I must uphold the truth and follow the path of equity and justice.”

     

    Adebanjo had earlier backed South-East Presidency for 2023.

     

    Continuing, Okupe said, “In aligning myself with the wish of our elders and in the interest of equity and justice, I publicly admit that the 2023 political race must be conceded to the South-East; that is, the Igbos.

     

    “I, therefore, here and now proclaim that I am, as I have said publicly several times, withdrawing from the presidential race and I am declaring my support for the best aspirant not only in Igboland, but in Nigeria as a whole.

     

    “I and my supporters within and outside the PDP are teaming up with His Excellency, Peter Obi.

     

    “At the same time, I want to enjoin all other aspirants from the South; Chief Dele Momodu, Senator Anyim, and His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike to come with me and let us team up with Peter Obi. So we can give the South the best possible chance.”

     

    There has been clamour from many quarters that power be zoned to the South-East in 2023.

     

    Members of the PDP from the north who have declared interest in the 2023 Presidency include ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar; ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

     

    The PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, had also said that the party won’t abandon its tradition of zoning political offices in the 2023 elections.

     

    The 17 Southern governors including Wike as well as sociopolitical groups such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere have consistently maintained that political parties should zone their presidential tickets to the South for a candidate to replace the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who is from Katsina State, in the North-West and whose two-term would end in May 2023.

     

    Other presidential hopefuls from the South include All Progressives Congress leader, Bola Tinubu; Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; ex-Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; former Governor of Abia State and Majority Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu; former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, among others.

     

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has also been rumoured to nurse an ambition to succeed his boss through the 2023 election but the professor of law has not officially made his intention known.

  • Doyin Okupe tenders apology to Igbos for comments on Ahmadu Bello

    Doyin Okupe tenders apology to Igbos for comments on Ahmadu Bello

    Doyin Okupe, a former Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo has apologized to the Igbos for saying an Igbo presidency cannot evolve until the north forgives the Igbos for killing the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

    Okupe, who is also a former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, tendered the apology for the incendiary statement he made about an Igbo Presidency via Twitter on Saturday.

    Recall that Bello was murdered on January 15, 1966, by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu, an Igbo Nigerian Army officer in a coup which collapsed Nigeria’s post-independence government. Bello was still serving as premier of Northern Nigeria at the time.

    Joining the fray about the conversation on Igbo presidency, Okupe had tweeted: “A national consensus for Igbo Presidency cannot evolve until the core north forgives the Igbos for the killing of Sardauna of Sokoto by nigerian soldiers of Igbo extraction in the 1966 Coup.”

    Speaking further, Okupe added that he was ready to shelve his presidential ambition if a consensus for Igbo presidency is reached by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “If this consensus emerges, in the interest of equity, fairness & national unity, I will shelve my ambition & support whoever is chosen as a candidate by my party. However, in the event that this national consensus is not achievabe, I WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2023 by God’s Grace.”

    The comments made by the presidential aide, however, did not go down well with many, who slammed Okupe, making him trend on Twitter, but he later deleted the tweet, and hours after, returned to Twitter to apologise.

    He wrote: “OPEN APPOLOGY TO THE IGBOS. I tender my unreserved appology 2 d Igbos & other nigerians who felt offended by my post on igbo presidency and the north.I never intended to hurt or demean the Igbos.Instead I wanted 2 help actualise d dream. I regret d said post, & I am truly sorry.”

  • Igbo presidency can’t happen unless north forgives for Ahmadu Bello’s murder — Doyin Okupe

    Igbo presidency can’t happen unless north forgives for Ahmadu Bello’s murder — Doyin Okupe

    Former Presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe on Saturday said the Igbo presidency would not come to pass unless the northern region forgives the Igbo people over the assassination of the Sardauna of Sokoto Ahmadu Bello.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Bello was murdered on January 15, 1966, by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu an Igbo Nigerian Army officer in a coup which collapsed Nigeria’s post-independence government. Bello was still serving as premier of Northern Nigeria at the time.

     

     

    Joining the fray about the conversation on Igbo presidency, Okupe said: “A national consensus for Igbo Presidency cannot evolve until the core north forgives the Igbos for the killing of Sardauna of Sokoto by nigerian soldiers of igbo extraction in the 1966 Coup.”

    Speaking further, Okupe added that he was ready to shelve his presidential ambition if a consensus for Igbo presidency is reached by his party the Peoples Democratic Party.

    He said: “If this consensus emerges, in the interest of equity, fairness & national unity, I will shelve my ambition & support whoever is chosen as a candidate by my party.

    “However, in the event that this national consensus is not achievabe, I WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2023 by God’s Grace.”

     

  • God is preparing my son to change gay community-Doyin Okupe

    God is preparing my son to change gay community-Doyin Okupe

    Doyin Okupe, former senior special assistant on public affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has averred that his son, Bolu is ‘on sojourn to the gay community in order to be an instrument of God to that community.

     

    TheNewsGuru recalls that there were mixed reactions when a viral photo shared by Bolu, wearing rainbow boxers with the caption; “Yes, I am gay” surfaced online.On social media, Bolu describes himself as a video creator and LGBTQ activist.

    In a chat with VanguardLiveTV’s The Controversy on Wednesday, Okupe noted that Bolu has always been different.

    “We’ve always known that Bolu was like that. He’s even much more than that. He’s incredible with what he does and capable of doing. All is other siblings are one but Bolu had designed his mind to never live in Nigeria. Unfortunately for me, his mother took him abroad very early. He did major parts of his secondary school in United Kingdom.

    “So, Bolu thinks he lives European (he’s my son) but his mind is European. I also know that he’s easily influenced by his environment. I know that for a fact because he came home one time for holiday, and this is the person that’s been questioning the Bible but all of a sudden, he’s on fire in terms of scripture having spent some months in Nigeria.His elder brother who is a pastor now helped him spiritually during that time. I made a greatest mistake to send him to France because that’s an extremely liberal society. So, the family had known that Bolu had that tendency. The day I knew, I wept. Have gone past that. We’re just praying for him but I also know that, God’s ways are not our ways, and He knows the beginning from the end. Mark my words, he (Bolu) is on sojourn to the gay community in order to be an instrument of God to that community eventually. That’s what going to happen by the grace of God”, he stated.

     

  • Ex-presidential aide, Doyin Okupe reacts to son’s gay status

    Ex-presidential aide, Doyin Okupe reacts to son’s gay status

    Former aide to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe has reacted to the revelation by one of his sons, Bolu, that he is gay.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Bolu made the revelation on his Instagram page on Thursday while sharing his photo.

    Reacting to the post, Okupe said his son is going through a ‘Spiritual Challenge.’

    On his Instagram page, Okupe with a picture of his son wrote: “The picture below is that of Mobolurin Okupe. He is my son. I gave him the name MOBA OLUWA RIN, ( I WALKED WITH GOD) because he was born at the time I gave my life to Christ.

    “For me, I look beyond the surface or the physical. Here, I see a major spiritual challenge ahead but I know as my God liveth, this whole saga will end up in Praise to the Almighty Jehova who I serve day and night.”

    He mentioned that he had been aware of his son’s sexuality for a while but had stood against it.

    Giving his reasons, Okupe said that as an evangelist, homosexuality goes against his Christian faith.

    “I have been aware of Bolu’s new orientation for a while now.

    “He knows that as a Christian and a witness for Christ ( an evangelist) I am vehemently opposed to homosexuality as it runs contrary to the avowed precepts of my Christian faith,” his post read.

    Bolu graduated in 2015 from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom (UK).

  • Doyin Okupe’s son, Bolu confirms gay status on social media

    Doyin Okupe’s son, Bolu confirms gay status on social media

    Bolu Okupe, the son of former presidential aide Doyin Okupe, has confirmed that he is gay.

    Bolu made the bold declaration on his Instagram handle @boluokupe.

    In the picture posted, he was captured holding the rainbow flag, bare-chested, and rainbow shorts.

    He captions it “Yes I’m gay AF” which means that in fact, he is very gay.

    See post below;

     

    Bolu is a video creator, YouTuber, LGBTQ activist, and fitness enthusiast.

    He currently resides in France where the law allows him to experiment with his sexuality.

    He graduated in 2015 from the University of Manchester, UK.

    Bolu is also a holder of a Masters of Science in International Management from NEOMA Business School, France.

    Doyin Okupe, a physician and politician, was the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He was a Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan.