Former Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has explained why he parted ways with Obi and the Labour Party (LP).
In a statement on Monday, Okupe clarified that his support for Obi was based on principles of fairness and justice, not personal or political gain.
He said that his commitment to Obi was rooted in his belief that the presidency should go to a southerner, preferably an Igbo man, following principles of equity.
Daily Trust reports that Okupe in January this year dumped the Labour Party, citing ideological differences post-2023 election as the basis for his departure from the party.
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Okupe was in December 2023 convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja after being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for money laundering to the tune of N700m.
He was accused of illegally receiving money from a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, from the funds meant for arms procurement for the nation’s security apparatus.
He was subsequently jailed for two years with an option of a N13m fine, which he took and avoided time in prison.
Okupe a day after his conviction for money laundering, announced his withdrawal from the campaign of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, but vowed his support and loyalty to the party’s flagbearer.
But Okupe in his Monday statement said that he did not receive any financial compensation from Obi during the campaign and relied on personal funds and support from a mutual friend.
Despite their loss, Okupe expressed his respect for the outcome, considering it as God’s will, and confirmed that his political alliance with Obi concluded with the Supreme Court’s judgment on the election.
He also said that having been involved in Nigerian politics for 46 years, he no longer belongs to any political party but expressed his personal support for President Bola Tinubu, citing Tinubu’s political acumen and administrative competence.
He urged Nigerians to support the current administration for the sake of the nation’s stability and the well-being of its citizens.
He re-affirmed his commitment to Nigeria and his desire to see the country succeed, irrespective of political or religious affiliations.
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