From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja; Laide Raheem, Abeokuta; Sola Ojo, Abuja and Lukman Olabiyi, lagos
President Bola Tinubu has described the late Dr Doyin Okupe as a bold advocate for national development, expressing deep sorrow over his passing.
He has extended heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and associates, in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Okupe, a medical doctor and seasoned politician from Iperu-Remo in Ogun State, served as a special assistant to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.
He also led the Labour Party’s presidential campaign in 2023 and co-founded the Royal Cross Medical Centre in Lagos. Tinubu commiserated with the people of Ogun State, particularly the Iperu-Remo community, and prayed for the repose of Okupe’s soul.
In his statement, Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, described Okupe’s demise as a profound and personal loss.
Governor Abiodun, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, eulogised Dr. Okupe’s lifelong service to Nigeria, noting that he remained a patriotic statesman and a committed member of the progressive political family until his final moments.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also expressed deep sorrow over the death of Dr. Doyin Okupe. In a statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu described Okupe’s death as a significant loss to Nigeria, particularly the people of Ogun State.
Sanwo-Olu, who is also the chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, commiserated with Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, over the loss of one of the state’s prominent political figures.
The National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure said the news of the sudden departure of Okupe came to him as rude shock.
“On behalf of the leadership and members of the Labour Party across the globe, we commensurate with his immediate family, Ogun State government and Nigerians over his demise and I pray that God will offer him His bosom for a well deserved rest”, Abure prayed.