PUBLISHER of Ovation Magazine, Mr Dele Momodu, has come down hard on the former presidential spokesman, Dr Doyin Okupe, for dumping Mr Peter Obi and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu despite the ongoing economic hardship in the country.
Momodu noted that Okupe had a history of supporting failing administrations, despite clear evidence of their shortcomings.
Momodu expressed surprise at Okupe’s shift in allegiance from Mr Peter Obi, whom he supported during the 2023 presidential election, to President Tinubu and his policies. In a post on his X account, the veteran journalist and politician urged Dr Okupe to join others in demanding good governance rather than defending ineffective policies.
Momodu recalled Okupe’s pattern of defending various governments since his tenure as Obasanjo’s spokesman in 1999, questioning what Nigeria had gained from such support. He recounted his own experience of withdrawing support from then-President Buhari in 2015 due to a lack of direction and urged Dr Okupe to prioritise good leadership over loyalty to failing governments.
Mr Momodu also mentioned a bet he had with Okupe during the Jonathan administration, where Okupe was confident of Jonathan’s victory but lost. He criticized Okupe for persuading leaders based on theoretical economic indices without considering practical realities.
He stated, “I will never defend useless government policies. There’s nothing more we want Nigeria to give us at this age and stage than good leadership…) You and I met at the London Hilton Metropole in the dying days of the Jonathan government and you boasted that no Jupiter can defeat Jonathan in an election. We had a bet of 20k USD and you lost.
“You begged me for debt forgiveness just two years ago at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja… I’m sure you must have persuaded the gentleman that since the economists rated Nigeria very high, he can never be defeated. But you forgot that a government must never rely solely on theoretical economic indices. It must be balanced with real and practical economy.“
Momodu also acknowledged Dr Okupe’s work on the presidential bids of Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Governor Peter Obi but questioned Okupe’s sudden support for Tinubu. He emphasized the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerians and criticised Dr Okupe and Reno Omokri for defending Tinubu’s government, which he described as profligate.
Momodu further stated that he would support President Tinubu if he made significant reforms, such as reducing government spending, promoting agriculture, and empowering youths with vocational grants. He, however, asserted that no government could succeed with advisers like Dr Okupe.
Meanwhile, Dr Okupe has reacted to the tirade. He wrote;
“My dear Dele, it was nice to see you again at Chief Osoba’s 80th birthday, just as it is to read your comments about my rejoinder to Reno’s response to your condemnation of this administration. Frankly speaking and putting sentiments apart, Reno’s response to your article was a masterpiece in terms of facts assembled therein. I am always in awe of that young man’s ability to research and succinctly put together his narratives.
“You may hate Reno, or be angry with him for his opinions but his facts are unassailable. I am also surprised you did not stay with the facts. You retorted that I have advised and praised every govt since 1999. That is not true. I only acted as an adviser in the Obj’s administration, which remains one of the most successful since the advent of the 4th Republic. I did not play any significant role in the Yaradua administration that succeeded Obj’s.
“I became an adviser for the second time in the Jonathan administration which was defeated by the Gen Buhari-led APC. Jonathan’s defeat was not because of any societal hardship or economic issues. Jonathan’s administration led Nigeria to an economically prosperous nation, taking our GDP to $500B, and an unprecedented number 1 position in Africa. Why Jonathan was “defeated” is another matter entirely which may not be known to you because of your remoteness to the inner core of political power play at that time. This will be a topic for another day. My associations with Bukola Saraki and Peter Obi are in no way different from your current association with HE Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. All three were presidential aspirants or candidates of different parties at different times. Making any issues out of this is nothing but crass mischief. I am neither a member of the APC nor an adviser to the administration.
“I appreciate the bold initiatives President Bola Tinubu took to remove fuel subsidy, which was assented to by ALL candidates during the campaign. I also fully support the sectoral equalization of our forex market. Both reforms are responsible for the hardship our people are currently experiencing, but which I believe will be temporary judging by the strenuous efforts the govt is making towards ameliorating them. This is not praise singing. I do not count myself as a member of the opposition, hence I am able to be objective and understandingly supportive. I may not have had a hand in installing this govt but it is my country and I am a stakeholder in it. I do not pray for it to crash or go down. This cannot be an offence.
“We all are practitioners, players and known actors in this Amphitheater, no need to go personal. Let’s keep criticisms rational, mature and professional.
“Finally, Dele, let me publicly acknowledge and appreciate your generosity in granting me that much-appreciated debt forgiveness of $20k. I could not afford it! But truly then, I never imagined we could lose that election. However, man proposes but God Almighty ONLY disposes. My dear Aburo, whom I love and adore so much, I wish you well. God bless.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media