Dr. Doyin Okupe, a seasoned political strategist and former presidential spokesperson, passed away on March 7, 2025, at the age of 72. From medicine to politics, his career was marked by influence, controversy, and resilience.
Here are 10 key things to remember about the late Doyin Okupe:
- Roots & Education – Born on March 22, 1952, in Iperu, Ogun State, Okupe studied at St. Jude’s School, Igbobi College, and later earned his degree from the University of Ibadan.
- Medical Career – Before politics, he was a doctor at St. Nicholas Hospital and later co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre, serving as its Managing Director.
- Political Ambitions – Okupe’s political journey began in 1983 when he contested for a House of Representatives seat under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). He later became the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the ‘90s.
- Presidential Aide – He was 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 in 2012.
- Political Struggles – Detained under General Sani Abacha’s regime in 1996, he was later disqualified from contesting in the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) primaries in 1998.
- Party Switching & Campaign Roles – Over the years, he was a key figure in campaigns for Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Bukola Saraki, and Atiku Abubakar, moving between PDP, Accord Party, and Labour Party.
- EFCC Investigation – In 2012, he was investigated by the EFCC over allegedly unexecuted contracts in Benue and Imo states.
- Family Life – Married to Aduralere Okupe, he was a father of two children.
- Health Battles – He survived COVID-19 in 2020, recovering alongside his wife.
- Final Political Role – In 2023, he was initially named Peter Obi’s running mate under the Labour Party but later stepped down when a substantive VP was chosen.
A man of many roles and controversies, Doyin Okupe’s legacy will remain woven into Nigeria’s political history. 🕊️
