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Those who know Doyin Okupe say he was a man of many professions and spheres of life.
Though highly principled in terms of taking life changing decisions, he remained one of the most steadfast members of People’s Democratic Party, PDP....READ THE FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE | READ THE FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE
Background
Born on 22 March 1952 in Iperu, now in Ogun State, in British-ruled Nigeria, Okupe was the son of Chief Matthew Adekoya Okupe, who was a banker with Agbonmagbe bank.
His brothers were Kunle Okupe, Owo Okupe, Wemi Okupe and Larry Okupe, and his sisters are Aina Okanlawon and Bisola Ayeni.
Academic background
He attended St. Jude’s School in Ebute Metta, Lagos , Igbobi College in Yaba Lagos and the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Oyo state.
Careers in life
Although Okupe was a medical doctor, he was also active in party politics He was also once a publisher of a health newspaper called Life Mirror.
Medical career
Okupe worked for some years for government and private hospitals , including St. Nicholas Hospital Lagos, before establishing the Royal Cross Medical Centre (also known as Royal Cross Hospital) in Obalande, Lagos, along with his colleagues, Seyi Roberts and Ladi. He was the Managing Director, MD of Royal Cross Medical Centre.
Political career
During the Second Nigerian Republic, Okupe was a House of Representatives candidate candidate of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 1983 Nigerian Parliamentary election. .
In the Third Nigerian Republic, Okupe became the National Publicity Secretary of National Republican Convention (NRC). He was one of the representatives of the NRC that observed the collation of the 1993 Nigerian Presidential election results at the headquarters of the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
The General Sani Abacha military government detained Okupe on 3 October 1996. Later on, in March 1998, during the aborted transition programme of Abacha, he was among the politicians who were disqualified from participating in United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) primaries.
Defection to PDP/other parties
At the advent of the current Fourth Nigerian Republic, , Okupe was appointed Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo. Later on, in 2002, he was one of the governorship aspirants of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in Ogun State, and was a major contender along with Gbenga Daniel .
In 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Okupe as his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs.
Okupe was publicist at various times to Nigerian presidential aspirants of the PDP, including President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Goodluck Jonathan, Bukola Saraki and Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In July 2017, he announced his decision to leave the PDP to join the Accord Party,but for accepting to be the Chairman of the Campaign Media Council of Bukola Saraki for the 2019 presidential primaries of the PDP, the Accord Party expelled him in September 2018. He subsequently returned to the PDP, and became a spokesman of the Presidential Campaign Organisation of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP candidate for president in the 2019 Nigerian presidential election.
Okupe was Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Okupe joined the Labour Party ahead of 2023 Nigerian general election and stood in as the running mate and vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party until a substantive candidate was picked.
Personal life and death
Okupe was married to Aduralere Okupe, with whom he had two children.
While Okupe supported the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 presidential election , his son Ditan supported Muhammadu Buhari.
In May 2020, it was reported that Okupe and his wife, Aduralere tested positive COVID-19 on 23 April 2020 and had recovered.
In January 2021, his other son, Bolu Okupe, based in Paris, came out as gayon his Instagram page.
He and his son Bolu supported Peter Obi for the 2023 Nigerian Presidential election.
Okupe died on 7 March 2025 at the age of 72 after a long struggle with cancer.
Controversies and prosecutions
It was reported in August 2012 that Okupe and his companies were probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and accused of failing to execute road construction contracts awarded to his companies in 2004 by Benue State and in 2005 by Imo state Eventually, a settlement was reached with Imo State, while the case with Benue State was resolved through arbitration.
In July 2016, it was alleged that ₦702 million of the embezzled $2 billion in the $2 billion arms deal or Dasukigate at the office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Colonel Sambo Dasuki was traced to Okupe by the EFCC.
On 14 January 2019, the EFCC arraigned Okupe before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a 59-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and diversion of funds to the tune of ₦702 million.
Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed shock over the death of his former campaign director general, Doyin Okupe.
In his statement, Obi said stated thus; “With great sadness this morning, I received the shocking news of the death of my dear elder brother, Dr. Doyin Okupe. On behalf of the family and the Obidient family, I sincerely mourn his passing.
“Dr. Okupe was an active figure in the nation’s political space and a man who desired a better Nigeria.
“His death is a profound loss – not only to his family and loved ones but to all of us.
“I would therefore like to urge members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr. Okupe’s soul and to remember his family during these trying times.
“May God Almighty, who called him home, grant him eternal rest and grant his family, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad and irreplaceable loss.
“May God Almighty bless his family always,” Mr Obi said.
Okupe’s Death a Deep Personal Loss – Gov Abiodun
Also in a statement on Friday, the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the passing of Mr Okupe, as a profound personal loss.
The deceased was an indigene of the state.
Mr Abiodun said Mr Okupe’s passing came shortly after the demise of another revered figure, the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Adeleke Idowu-Basibo.
He paid tribute to Mr Okupe’s lifelong service to Nigeria, noting that the deceased remained a patriotic statesman and a committed member of the progressive political family until his final moments.
He said, “Receiving the news of the passing of my elder brother, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has left me with a profound sense of personal loss, especially coming so soon after the transition of the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo. Without a doubt, Dr. Okupe’s departure leaves a void that will not be easily filled.
“Beyond his political and professional engagements, Dr. Okupe was an affable, easy-going, and principled individual who, despite never flaunting his credentials, played a significant role in Nigeria’s resistance to military rule. Like many other democracy advocates, he endured detention and persecution under military regimes, standing firm in his convictions,” he said.
Mr Abiodun acknowledged Mr Okupe’s fluid political journey, emphasising that while his affiliations changed over time, his relationships with family, friends, and associates remained intact.
“Although he shifted political alliances as situations evolved, aligning with the National Republican Convention (NRC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Accord Party, and the Labour Party, he never severed ties with his friends across political platforms. Even after the 2023 general election, he openly admired and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s progressive vision,” the governor said.
Describing Mr Okupe as an accomplished politician and strategist, Mr Abiodun said the deceased co-founded the Royal Cross Medical Centre and held key political positions, including National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC), Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, and Publicist for former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Mr Abiodun noted that Mr Okupe’s service in these diverse roles reflected his deep love for Nigeria and its people.
“Okupe was one of those rare politicians who could disagree without being disagreeable. He never used foul language, always remained respectful in discourse, and was quick to acknowledge his mistakes while bowing to superior arguments. Humility was his defining trait.
“Although he trained as a medical doctor, Dr. Okupe excelled in media and political communications, serving as a spokesperson for various administrations. His writing and public speaking skills were exceptional, making him an influential voice in national discourse. His passion for journalism even led him to establish his own media outfit, further cementing his role as a thought leader in political communication,” he added.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu
In his tribute, the Lagos state governor Sanwo-Olu described Okupe’s death, at the age of 72, as a significant loss to Nigeria, particularly the people of Ogun. He extended his condolences to the family.
In a statement on Friday, issued by his Special Adviser, Mr Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu praised Okupe’s contributions to Nigeria’s political landscape.
Okupe was also the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign. He was a former National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
Known for his bold positions and unfiltered opinions, Okupe was an accomplished politician and strategist, contributing greatly to political and national issues.
Sanwo-Olu expressed his grief, saying, “On behalf of my family, the people, and the government of Lagos, I mourn the loss of Dr Doyin Okupe.
“He was an experienced politician and strategist with over three decades of active involvement in Nigerian politics.
“He was involved during the Third Republic as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC).”
Sanwo-Olu highlighted Okupe’s work as Special Assistant to President Obasanjo, Senior Special Assistant to President Jonathan, and Publicist for Senator Bukola Saraki and Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
As Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, Sanwo-Olu also commiserated with Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, over the loss of a political icon.
Sanwo-Olu further acknowledged Okupe’s medical contributions. “As a doctor, he positively impacted many lives and worked in both public and private hospitals across Nigeria.”
He added, “Okupe co-founded Royal Cross Medical Centre in Obalende, Lagos. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, especially the political community.”
The governor prayed, “May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and give his family, friends, and associates the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
