In a surprising turn of events, former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu, hailing him as the standout candidate among all contenders in the 2023 presidential election.
Okupe, who initially served as Peter Obi’s campaign director during the early stages of the election, made the revelation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“By the benefit of hindsight, Bola Tinubu is the best among all the people that ran for President in 2023,” Okupe asserted.
He highlighted Tinubu’s capability, commitment, and knowledge as distinguishing factors that set him apart from other candidates.
Okupe defended his shift in allegiance, emphasizing that his support for Obi was based on their mutual belief that a Southerner should occupy the presidency.
However, he expressed confidence in Tinubu’s potential to lead the nation effectively if given the opportunity.
“Let me tell you, of all the people that actually ran for President in 2023, by the benefit of hindsight, Bola Tinubu is the best,” Okupe said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
“I have seen Peter Obi, I have been with Atiku Abubakar, I also knew Bola Tinubu many years ago. I have not seen him in the last 7 to 8 years, that is not the point but he is the best in terms of capability, commitment, and knowledge.”
Challenging the notion that it was a betrayal to his former candidate, Okupe clarified that his alignment with Obi was driven by shared ideological convictions rather than personal loyalty.
Despite their political journey together, which included campaigning across the country and transitioning from the PDP to the Labour Party, Okupe’s endorsement of Tinubu underscores a significant shift in his political stance.
“His lack of prior experience in the presidency warrants a grace period,” Okupe said, referring to Tinubu. “Let’s give him more time.”
Furthermore, Okupe’s resignation from his position as director-general of Obi’s campaign, prompted by legal challenges, and subsequent departure from the Labour Party earlier this year, further accentuates the complexities of Nigeria’s political landscape.
As Nigeria navigates through evolving political dynamics, Okupe’s endorsement adds a new dimension to the discourse surrounding the country’s leadership and future trajectory.