Doyin Okupe, former director-general of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign, has publicly withdrawn his support for Peter Obi, citing Obi’s recent comments about the economic situation in the south-west as reason.
In a viral clip, Obi stated, “Let us talk about what is happening today. Rice is about N100,000. We are not even sure where we are going to be. ‘It’s our turn’, ‘he is a Yoruba man’ — ask the people in Ogun, here is there any place you people buy bread cheaper?”
Okupe, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, described Obi’s remarks as an “insult” to people in the south-west, emphasizing that Obi’s statement publicly brought down the region despite receiving support from “eminent Yoruba people” during his presidential bid.
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Okupe expressed his disappointment, saying, “When Obi made that statement, it insulted us. I am a Yoruba man; I left everything and followed Obi… I do not regret supporting Peter Obi. But now I cannot do it again.”
Okupe’s continued that decision to withdraw his support stems from Obi’s failure to acknowledge the south-west’s contributions to his campaign. “If all these eminent Yoruba people supported you, why now bring us down publicly? It is wrong,” Okupe stated.
He also noted that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had deviated from his usual circle of influence to support Obi, highlighting the significance of south-west backing.
