Doyin Okupe, a former presidential aide, has denied ever criticising President Bola Tinubu, despite being named in an article alongside other former critics who have now become supporters of the president.
Okupe, who previously served as the senior special assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on public affairs, spoke out in response to claims made about his past comments on Tinubu. According to Okupe, he has always supported the president and has never spoken ill of him.
In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Okupe explained that he and Tinubu shared a strong bond dating back to the era of the military junta in Nigeria. He said they were both part of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) — a pro-democracy group that fought against military rule in the 1990s.
“We were in the trenches together,” Okupe recalled, referring to their shared efforts to resist military oppression. “Even though he was abroad at the time, and I was coordinating the activities here in Nigeria, the bond we formed during that time is something that no political differences can ever break.”
Okupe went on to state that he had never, at any point, criticised Tinubu, even though the two of them had not always belonged to the same political party. He pointed out that he has consistently supported the idea that Tinubu would perform well as president.
“Go and check all through my time in the Labour Party and in the PDP. I have never in my life criticised Bola Tinubu,” he said. “A good man does not spoil another good person.”
Okupe’s comments came after being mentioned in an article alongside other political figures who once opposed Tinubu but have since publicly backed him. The former presidential aide seemed keen to clarify his stance, emphasising that his relationship with Tinubu had always been one of respect and mutual support, especially during their activism days.
“During the NADECO days, we were facing a very tough and dangerous situation,” Okupe explained. “We were under severe pressure from the military government. We were constantly on the run. But through all that, we formed a bond that transcends politics.”
He further stated that their connection was rooted in a shared sense of purpose rather than political allegiance. “You can go and check all publications,” he insisted. “I have never, ever criticised him. There is nowhere you will hear me speak anything ill about Bola Tinubu.”
“I have no regret supporting Tinubu,” Okupe said. “I am convinced he is the right man for the job, and I am confident that he will lead the country well.”
While it is clear that Okupe has faced political challenges and has sometimes found himself at odds with Tinubu in the past, his current position is one of strong support. He has indicated that his previous criticisms were part of the political climate at the time and not a reflection of his overall opinion of the president.
In many ways, Okupe’s shift in loyalty mirrors a wider trend in Nigerian politics, where former rivals often become allies, especially in the wake of a presidential election.
This shift in political dynamics is a common feature of Nigerian politics, where alliances can change quickly depending on the prevailing circumstances. For Okupe, the bond formed during their struggles under military rule seems to have played a significant role in his decision to publicly support Tinubu today.
“I’ve never been one to criticise someone I respect,” Okupe added, stressing that his admiration for Tinubu was genuine. “We’ve been through too much together. A good man doesn’t spoil another good person.”
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how other former critics of Tinubu will navigate their own positions. But for now, Okupe is clear in his message: he has always supported the president, and any suggestion otherwise is a misunderstanding of his past actions.
