Kehinde Fajobi
Doyin Okupe, former presidential spokesperson and ex-director of Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, has declared he will no longer support the former Anambra State governor.
Okupe’s statement follows recent remarks made by Obi that Okupe views as an insult to the Yoruba race.
In a viral clip, Obi commented on the economic situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating, “Rice is about ₦100,000. We are not even sure where we are going to be. ‘It’s our turn,’ ‘he is a Yoruba man’—ask the people in Ogun, is there any place you people buy bread cheaper?”
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Okupe expressed disappointment with Obi’s comments.
“When Obi made that statement, it insulted us,” he said. “I am a Yoruba man; I left everything and followed Obi.”
Okupe explained that he originally supported Obi as part of an agreement to ensure a southern president emerged.
“I do not regret supporting Peter Obi. But now I cannot do it again. The reason why I did it was because we agreed that a southern president must emerge,” Okupe said.
“If all these eminent Yoruba people supported you, why now bring us down publicly? It is wrong.”
Despite his criticisms, Okupe emphasised his respect for Obi, noting his role in Obi’s political ascent.
“I cannot hate Peter Obi; I am sentimentally attached to Peter Obi. Peter Obi was my project, and I am part and parcel of those who built Peter Obi up. I can’t publicly denigrate that or bring down that house,” he said.
Okupe clarified that his criticism stemmed from what he saw as an attack on the Yoruba people.
“When you call the entire Yoruba race out, I am an elder statesman and primarily a Yoruba man,” he explained.
“If I cannot speak the truth at my age, then there is no point to live. What Peter Obi said was wrong. He said that emilokan, that they should ask people in Ogun State whether they are buying bread cheaper.”
Okupe also defended Tinubu’s use of emilokan, explaining, “When Bola Tinubu said emilokan, he was not addressing the nation or a rally. He was addressing APC delegates in Ogun State who were going to the APC convention to vote for him.”