Doyin Okupe, the former Director-General of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign, has announced he no longer supports Peter Obi, the party’s former presidential candidate. Okupe made this statement on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” reacting to Obi’s recent comments on Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Obi, addressing the rising cost of essentials, stated, “Rice is now about N100,000, and people are uncertain about where the country is heading. Saying, ‘it’s our turn’ or focusing on tribal affiliations doesn’t help. Ask those in Ogun State if bread is any cheaper there.”
The remarks sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some backing Obi while others, including Okupe, expressed disapproval. Okupe criticized Obi’s statement, calling it an “insult” to the South-West region, especially given the support Obi received from Yoruba leaders during his presidential campaign.
“When Obi made that statement, it insulted us,” Okupe said. “I am a Yoruba man; I left everything to support him. For the first time, even former President Obasanjo backed Obi, showing the level of support he had here.”
Although Okupe maintained he has no regrets about his initial support for Obi, he confirmed he could no longer stand by him, citing a perceived betrayal. “If so many respected Yoruba figures supported you, why publicly undermine us now? It’s not right,” Okupe concluded.
Okupe’s withdrawal of support follows his recent resignation from the Labour Party over ideological differences.
