Ex-presidential spokesman, medical doctor and politician, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has died. Okupe passed away on March 7, 2025, at the age of 72. Although a medical doctor, the late political activist was well known for his involvement in politics, media and image management. Okupe was the former Director-General of Peter Obi 2023 Presidential Campaign. Earlier, he was the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo, and later, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Okupe who hailed from Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government area of Ogun State, was said to have been sick for some time, before his death. Okupe was known for his bold political stance and strong opinions on issues he believed in. The fluidity of his movements and ability to change political affiliations made him a complex persona in Nigeria’s contemporary politics. That notwithstanding, he was easily identified with a particular position at any given time.
He was a physician who co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre and was the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC). President Bola Tinubu and other prominent Nigerians have mourned his passage and paid glowing tributes to him. Tinubu, in a condolence message, described Okupe as a dedicated public servant who played significant roles in Nigeria’s political landscape. The President lauded Okupe’s contributions to governance and political discourse, adding that he would be remembered for years to come. He described Okupe as a bold and articulate advocate of national development, lamenting that he died at a time when his wealth of experience and insight were still invaluable to the nation.
Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in 2023, Peter Obi, in expressing his grief, described Okupe as a passionate leader who believed in the country’s progress. Obi recalled Okupe’s efforts during the last general election and praised his unwavering commitment to national development. He said, “With great sadness, I received the shocking news of the death of my dear elder brother, Dr. Doyin Okupe. On behalf of the family and the Obidient family, I sincerely mourn his passing.”
To Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the late politician remained a patriotic statesman and a committed member of the progressive political family until his final moments. The governor said, “Receiving the news of the passing of my elder brother, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has left me with a profound sense of personal loss. Abiodun recalled that beyond his political and professional engagements, Dr. Okupe was an affable, 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,” Abiodun stated.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said Okupe was an accomplished politician and strategist known for his bold positions and unfiltered opinions on political and national issues.
Born on 22 March 1952, Okupe attended St. Jude’s School, Ebute Metta, Lagos, Igbobi College in Yaba, Lagos and the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. Okupe worked for some years for government and private hospitals, including St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, before establishing the Royal Cross Medical Centre (also known as Royal Cross Hospital) in Obalende, Lagos, along with his colleagues, Seyi Roberts and Ladi Okuboyejo. He was the Managing Director (MD) of the Centre. He was also once a publisher of a health newspaper called Life Mirror.
Despite his background in medicine, Doyin featured more in active politics and image management. In the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida political transition programme, he was the National Publicity Secretary of National Republican Convention (NRC). He was one of the representatives of the NRC that observed the collation of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election results at the headquarters of the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
Under Gen. Sani Abacha regime, he was once detained and disqualified from participating in the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) primaries. At the onset of the current civilian dispensation, Okupe was appointed Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2002, he was one of the governorship aspirants of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in Ogun State, and was a major contender along with Gbenga Daniel. In 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Okupe as his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs.
Okupe joined the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 general election and stood in as the running mate and vice presidential candidate of the Party until a substantive candidate was picked. He was the Director-General of the party’s campaign organisation. He stepped down from Obi’s campaign in 2022 and later resigned from the Labour Party following the outcome of 2023 general election. Okupe became a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, frequently engaging in political debates and commentary. No doubt, Okupe was a great patriot who contributed so much to the nation’s political development. We commiserate with his family and his political associates over the great loss.