Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson and political strategist known for his bold, unfiltered opinions, has died at the age of 72. His death was confirmed on Friday, though details surrounding his passing remain unclear.
Okupe served as Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan. He later rose to prominence as Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign before stepping down in December 2022 after a money laundering conviction. Following the fallout from the 2023 general election, he resigned from the Labour Party and became a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, frequently engaging in Nigeria’s often turbulent political debates.
A trained physician, Okupe co-founded the Royal Cross Medical Centre and once held the position of National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention. His political journey was marked by controversy: he was detained under General Sani Abacha and later disqualified from participating in United Nigeria Congress Party primaries, and he even ventured into gubernatorial politics as a PDP aspirant in Ogun State.
Dr. Okupe’s career, a mix of political acumen and contentious episodes, left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape. He is survived by his family, colleagues, and a legacy that continues to spark debate.
