President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, extended his condolences to the family, friends and associates of Prince Doyin Okupe, a medical doctor and politician, who died on Friday at 72.
Tinubu described Okupe as a bold and articulate advocate for national development, expressing sorrow over his death at a time when his wealth of experience and insight were still invaluable to the nation.
The President commiserated with the government and people of Ogun, particularly the Iperu-Remo community, who lost an esteemed son and leader, Mr Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, said in a statement.
He recognised Okupe’s enduring impact on his home state and the deep void his passing left in the hearts of those who came in direct contact with him.
Okupe served as President Goodluck Jonathan’s Senior Special Assistant on public affairs and President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media.
“During his political career of over three decades, Okupe served as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
“He was prominent in the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Accord Party, of which he was the national leader,” said the President.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State described the death of Okupe as a personal loss.
Abiodun stated this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade.
The governor said that Okupe’s passing came shortly after the demise of a revered figure, the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo.
Abiodun, who paid tribute to Okupe’s lifelong service to Nigeria, noted that he remained a patriotic statesman and a committed member of the progressive political family until his final moments.
“Receiving the news of the passing of my elder brother, Dr Doyin Okupe has left me with a profound sense of personal loss.
“Without a doubt, Okupe’s departure leaves a void that will not be easily filled.
“Beyond his political and professional engagements, Dr Okupe was an easy-going and principled individual who, despite never flaunting his credentials, played a significant role in Nigeria’s resistance to military rule.
“Like many other democracy advocates, he endured detention and persecution under military regimes, standing firm in his convictions,” he said.
Abiodun acknowledged Okupe’s fluid political journey, emphasising that while his affiliations changed over time, his relationships with family, friends and associates remained intact.
“Although he shifted political alliances as situations evolved, aligning with the National Republican Convention (NRC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Accord Party, and the Labour Party.
“He never severed ties with his friends across political platforms. Even after the 2023 general elections, he openly admired and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s progressive vision,” Abiodun said.
The governor concluded his tribute with a heartfelt prayer: “It is my sincere prayer that Almighty God grants his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, described Okupe as an active figure in Nigeria’s political space.
Obi, in a condolence message posted on his X handle on Friday, said the late Chieftain of Labour Party (LP), was a man who desired a better Nigeria.
The former governor of Anambra expressed sadness over the death of the politician, who died at the age of 72.
He described his death as a profound loss, not only to his family and loved ones, but to all Labour party and Obidients.
Okupe was the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign.
“Okupe was an active figure in the nation’s political space and a man who desired a better Nigeria.
“His death is a profound loss, not only to his family and loved ones but to all of us.
“I will therefore like to urge members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr Okupe’s soul and to remember his family during these trying times,” he said.
He prayed that the Almighty, who called Okupe home, would grant him eternal rest and grant his family, and all Nigerians, the fortitude to bear the sad and irreparable loss
A former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Akin Osuntokun, also mourned the passing of Okupe.
Osuntokun, a former NAN Managing Director, said that Okupe contributed greatly to the nation’s democracy.
“He (Okupe) made his own unique contributions to Nigerian politics. There is no way anybody can write about Nigerian politics in the past 50 years without mentioning his name.
“He was a key political figure with great vigour, he brought creativity to the politics of Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace,” Osuntokun said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State expressed sadness over the death of Okupe.
The APC state Chairman, Mr Yemi Sanusi, through the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, in statement in Abeokuta on Friday, described the death of the late popular politician as “saddening”.
Sanusi said the state has lost another shining star.
According to him, Okupe gave his all, not only to his professional calling as a medical practitioner but also to all the various assignments he found himself in the course of his rich political journey.
” Okupe was a jovial and straightforward politician that you can always know where he stood at any point in time even if you feel he was wrong .
” He never played politics of bitterness while he lived,” he stated..
The state chairman also stated that it was heartwarming that after his political sojourns, Okupe before his death, returned to the progressives fold to openly demonstrate his unconditional support for President Bola Tinubu.
“Ogun has indeed lost one of her great political stars who will be sorely missed at this critical time and journey of national, political and economic reconstruction of our land.
“We console the family of the late politician, including our Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who not only hailed from the same town with Okupe but was actually his relation.
” May God grant the family, friends and associates the much needed fortitude to bear the painful loss,” he stated.
A chieftain of Labour Party (LP), Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, described the death as a rude shock.
Olorunfemi, LP Deputy National Chairman, described the news of Okupe’s death as devastating, saying the news came to him as a surprise.
“I know he had been having some challenges but he had also been managing it.
“This morning I was about to call him to ask about his health and well-being. As I opened my phone, I was confronted with the news of his death and was shocked. It is really sad.
“The last time we spoke, we had an arrangement that I should come over to his country home.
“I wanted to call and beg him for my inability to come as planned and that he should expect me the following week. I am shocked at his death.
“Dr Doyin Okupe contributed a lot to the development of this country. We are going to miss him,” Olorunfemi said.
