Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson and ex-Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council, has strongly refuted claims that he suggested President Bola Tinubu may not win the 2027 presidential election. In a statement issued on Monday, Okupe clarified that his remarks had been distorted by certain media outlets seeking to mislead the public and create unnecessary divisions.
The controversy arose from reports that attributed to Okupe the belief that if the North were to field former President Goodluck Jonathan, or if a joint ticket between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi were to emerge, it would spell the end of Tinubu’s chances in 2027. Okupe expressed outrage over what he described as a “complete distortion” of his words and dismissed the claims as false.
“It has come to our attention that some online blogs published a story attributing a baseless and misleading statement to Dr. Doyin Okupe, the former Presidential Spokesman, regarding the 2027 presidential election,” the statement began. He categorically denied the assertion that he had predicted a loss for Tinubu in the event of these political scenarios.
According to Okupe, the misunderstanding stemmed from a comment he made in a tweet, where he pointed to the naivety of certain political figures. He emphasized that his remark was specifically directed at “pseudo-politicians” who were falsely assuming that a ticket involving Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi or a candidacy from Jonathan would be successful in defeating President Tinubu. “What Dr. Okupe actually expressed in a tweet only had to do with those he described as pseudo-politicians who lack deep thinking,” he explained, adding that such thinking would ultimately disappoint those expecting Tinubu’s downfall in 2027.
The former presidential spokesman further clarified that his comment was not a prediction, but rather a political observation in the context of strategy. “This statement was made in the context of political strategy,” Okupe said, stressing that it had nothing to do with undermining the current administration or President Tinubu’s ability to secure a second term.
Okupe also expressed concern over the media manipulation behind the misrepresentation of his words. He accused those behind the misleading reports of intentionally attempting to sow discord and create confusion within the political landscape. “Those behind the misrepresentation of my statement were clearly out to misinform the public,” he stated.
Finally, Okupe reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Tinubu and his administration, emphasizing that any efforts to distort his words would not deter him from continuing to advocate for the betterment of Nigeria. “He remains unwavering in his commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the progress of Nigeria,” the statement concluded. He also expressed hope that his clarification would end any confusion caused by the misreporting, particularly by the Daily Post.
