Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former Presidential Spokesperson, has publicly denied claims that he ruled out the possibility of President Bola Tinubu securing victory in the 2027 presidential election. The statement came in response to certain online media reports that misrepresented his views regarding the upcoming election.
Okupe addressed the issue on Monday in Lagos, where he clarified the confusion caused by several online blogs, including the Daily Post, which falsely attributed misleading statements to him regarding Tinubu’s chances in 2027. In his clarification, Okupe emphasized that he had never suggested that Tinubu’s re-election bid would be unsuccessful or “game over” if the North were to field former President Goodluck Jonathan as a candidate.
The former Director-General of Mr. Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council explained that his remarks were misinterpreted. He mentioned that the original statement, made in a tweet, was aimed at addressing those he described as “pseudo-politicians” who lacked deep political thinking. These individuals had speculated that a joint ticket between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, or the North putting forward Jonathan as a candidate, would automatically result in Tinubu’s defeat. According to Okupe, such thinking was flawed and would lead to disappointment for those holding these views. He clarified that his comment was about political strategy and was not meant to predict the outcome of the election based on specific candidates.
In his response, Okupe labeled the online articles as “a deliberate misrepresentation of his views” and a “clear example of media manipulation.” He expressed his disappointment at how his words had been twisted in an attempt to create confusion and division. Furthermore, Okupe urged the public to be cautious when consuming information from unreliable sources, encouraging people to verify the authenticity of any claims before forming opinions. He reassured his supporters that he remained firmly committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its efforts to address Nigeria’s challenges. He reiterated that his stance had not changed and he would continue to advocate for policies aimed at Nigeria’s progress, no matter the media distortion.
Okupe concluded by asserting that the clarification would address any misunderstandings caused by the misleading report from the Daily Post. He made it clear that attempts to manipulate his words would not deter him from his unwavering support for Tinubu’s leadership and his dedication to Nigeria’s advancement.