₦airaland Forum

At the commendation service for the late Dr. Doyin Okupe on Saturday, Balami Isaac, a former National Deputy Campaign Manager for Obi/Datti in the 2023 presidential election, expressed deep disappointment over the treatment Okupe received from members of the Labour Party during his final days.

Balami, an aviation expert and youth activist, lamented that key figures within the Labour Party deserted Okupe when he was seriously ill, despite his significant contributions to the party and the 2023 presidential campaign.

Okupe served as the Director-General of the Obi/Datti campaign, with Peter Obi as the party’s presidential candidate.

“When his son was speaking, everything he said was correct except one thing that he did not say very well,” Balami said. “He said when you offend Dr. Doyin Okupe and you genuinely ask for forgiveness, he will forgive you. Dr. Doyin Okupe was in pains — people that he gave his all for deserted him, betrayed him, lied against him — yet he forgave them.”

Balami highlighted Okupe’s financial sacrifices during the campaign, recalling how Okupe personally funded parts of the campaign even when party funds were available.

“The only campaign I have ever been to, I was the campaign manager nationwide, and Dr. Okupe was the DG of the campaign,” Balami said. [b]“We had N100 million available for that day. Dr. Okupe put all the money on the table, and all the directors would sit and he would distribute the money. After the campaign, he was left in debt. He never went anywhere even though the campaign had billions. He paid for them himself.”

Balami criticised those who distanced themselves from Okupe after the election, noting that despite his loyalty and dedication, he was abandoned during his health struggles.

“He was deserted by the people he worked with. At some point, I reached out on his behalf. They never called him or asked how he was feeling,” Balami said.

His statement was supported by someone in the audience who added, “For two years.” Another person remarked, “They did not pick (up) his calls.”

Balami rejected the notion that Okupe’s return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was motivated by money.

“After a six-hour flight, he crawled to the car after a major surgery. They saw him in pain, but 18 months later, they still never called him. The same people can’t even say a word to acknowledge that he was a good man.”

Balami condemned the attacks on Okupe's legacy by some supporters of the Labour Party.

“The few Obidients insulting this man on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are very ignorant,” he said. “But he already forgave them. He told me and told everybody. Even the ones he expected so much from, he forgave them.”

Okupe, a politician and former presidential aide, passed away earlier this year. His commendation service was attended by political figures, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

“He didn’t go back to APC because of money,” Balami said. “He told me one day, ‘Balami, I went back because I have seen it all. I went back to reconcile with the people that never hurt me.’”

Balami recounted how Okupe endured a major surgery in the UK and returned to Nigeria, where his former associates ignored him.

chopnaira:
https://saharareporters.com/2025/03/23/how-labour-party-stalwarts-abandoned-doyin-okupe-during-illness-former-national-deputy

Goodvibes007:
The obidient mob, who are majorly from a particular ethnic group, gave him the "Victor Banjo" treatment as expected.

Nothing to see here.

MICHEALADEX:
He knew obi inside out and understand the foolishness of his followers so he pulled out🥵

SmartPolician:
I don't blame them because Doyin Okupe started behaving like a typical agbadorian a few days to his demise.

The comments he made would make you wonder how someone like that supported Peter Obi in the first place, compelling many to conclude that he was a mole.

He has come to the end of his journey here on earth; RIP to him.

Tizu:
That's how they tribalise everything. In their next publications tomorrow they will be saying that Okupe was kpaied by the obidients. It is always good to understand the character of the people you are dealing with. Youruba is good in looking for whom to put blames to their woes on.

zero8zero:
Obi does not have leadership qualities, that's why everyone is leaving Labour Party for him.

SmartPolician:
I don't blame them because Doyin Okupe started behaving like a typical agbadorian a few days to his demise.

The comments he made would make you wonder how someone like that supported Peter Obi in the first place, compelling many to conclude that he was a mole.

He has come to the end of his journey here on earth; RIP to him.