In a candid open letter on Saturday, Dr Doyin Okupe, former presidential spokesperson of the Labour Party (LP), affirmed that his support for former Senate President Bukola Saraki and LP presidential candidate Peter Obi was driven by a desire to see capable leaders succeed, rather than for personal gain.
Okupe’s letter was a direct response to a recent missive from Dele Momodu, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had urged President Bola Tinubu to curb wasteful spending and invest in vocational skills for youths.
Addressing Momodu’s concerns, Okupe commended Reno Omokri’s counter-argument to Momodu’s letter, calling Omokri’s post, “Response To My Beloved Senior, Dele Momodu: Nigeria’s Economy Is Not Collapsing. Far From It!”, a “masterpiece filled with unassailable facts and demonstrating a deep understanding of the issues at hand.”
Okupe reiterated that his political affiliations with Saraki and Obi were based on a shared vision for Nigeria’s progress. “My involvement in these administrations was focused on providing guidance and support to drive progress and development in the country,” he wrote, emphasizing that these relationships were built on shared values rather than political expediency.
Okupe rejected the notion that his support for Saraki and Obi was for personal gain, stressing that his motives were rooted in a genuine desire to see competent leaders achieve their goals. “My support for these individuals was not driven by personal gain but rather a desire to see capable leaders succeed in their endeavours,” he stated.
He acknowledged the temporary hardships caused by recent economic reforms but argued that these measures were necessary for long-term growth and stability. Okupe praised the government’s efforts to alleviate the impact of these reforms and urged continued diligence in addressing the concerns of Nigerians.
In his concluding remarks, Okupe defended his past political alliances by comparing them to Momodu’s current support for PDP’s Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He asserted that all these relationships were based on a commitment to Nigeria’s betterment, not political convenience.
As the debate over Nigeria’s economic strategy and leadership continues, Okupe’s letter underscores the ongoing struggle for ideological and practical solutions to the nation’s challenges.
