Until his passing, Doyin Okupe remained a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, recognized for his contributions as a physician, politician, and public affairs strategist. Gom Mirian writes on the life and times of the bold politician
Born on March 22, 1952, in Iperu, Ogun State, Nigeria, Okupe pursued a medical degree at the University of Ibadan and initially practiced medicine before transitioning into politics.
Okupe’s political journey began in the early 1990s when he became the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) .
He later served as a Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007. His expertise in media relations and strategic communication solidified his reputation as a key player in Nigerian political circles.
In 2012, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Okupe was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs. In this capacity, he was responsible for managing the government’s public image and addressing national issues through various media channels. His tenure was marked by his outspoken defense of government policies and initiatives.
However, Okupe’s career faced significant challenges in 2018 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed 59 charges against him, alleging fraud and the receipt of funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The charges were related to payments he received during his tenure under President Jonathan.
The legal proceedings culminated on December 19, 2022, when a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Okupe of breaching the Money Laundering Act.
He was found guilty of receiving over N200 million in cash from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), without going through a financial institution, violating the stipulated cash transaction limits.
The court sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of N500,000 on each of the 26 counts, totalling N13 million.
Following his conviction, Okupe resigned from his position as the Director-General of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Council, a role he had assumed to support the presidential bid of Peter Obi in the 2023 elections.
His resignation was seen as a move to prevent his legal issues from overshadowing the party’s campaign efforts.
In March 2023, Okupe appealed his conviction, asserting that the funds he received were authorised by the former president and were not for personal use.
He contended that the payments were meant for official purposes related to his duties as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs.
Throughout his career, Doyin Okupe has experienced the complexities of Nigerian politics, navigating roles that placed him at the heart of government communication and public affairs. His journey reflects both the opportunities and challenges inherent in public service within Nigeria’s dynamic political environment.
