President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and associates of Prince Doyin Okupe, a medical doctor, politician, communicator and strategist who played a significant role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
A prominent son of Iperu-Remo in Ogun State, Prince Okupe served as President Goodluck Jonathan’s senior Special Assistant on public affairs and President Olusegun Obasanjo’s special assistant on media.
During his political career of over three decades, Okupe served as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He was prominent in the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Accord Party, of which he was the national leader.
He was most recently the Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign for the 2023 election.
Prince Okupe made notable contributions to the medical field as the co-founder of the Royal Cross Medical Centre, Lagos, and the publisher of Life Mirror, a health-focused newspaper.
President Tinubu recalls Dr Okupe as a bold and articulate advocate for national development, expressing deep sorrow over his passing at a time when his wealth of experience and insight were still invaluable to the nation.
The President also commiserates with the government and people of Ogun State, particularly the Iperu-Remo community, who have lost an esteemed son and leader.
He recognises Prince Okupe’s enduring impact on his home state and the deep void his passing leaves in the hearts of those who came in direct contact with him.
President Tinubu prays that God will grant repose to the departed patriot’s soul and comfort all.
Doyin Okupe: Facts about ex-Peter Obi’s campaign DG who died on Friday
Iperu, Ogun – Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, reportedly passed away on Friday morning, March 7, 2025, at the age of 72.
Doyin Okupe served as a senior special adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and was Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign director-general. Born in Iperu, Ogun state, Okupe attended St. Jude’s School, Igbobi College, and furthered his education at the University of Ibadan.
Okupe worked at St. Nicholas Hospital and later co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre, where he served as managing director. In 1983, he contested for the House of Representatives on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN). In the 1990s, he became the national publicity secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Okupe as special assistant on media and publicity. He also served under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan as senior special assistant on public affairs in 2012. Okupe was detained under the regime of General Sani Abacha in 1996 and was subsequently disqualified from contesting in the primaries of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in 1998.
Over time, Okupe played key roles in the campaigns of Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, and Peter Obi. He was a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Accord Party, and the Labour Party. In 2012, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) probed Okupe over some executed projects in Imo and Benue states.
Okupe was married to Aduralere Okupe, and they were blessed with two children. He was one of the Nigerians affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 and survived along with his wife. Initially, he was Peter Obi’s running mate under the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, but he later stepped down following the nomination of a substantive vice-presidential candidate.
