2023 Election: The Better Man Won, Even Though I Supported Peter Obi – Okupe

Former presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe has stated that Nigerians are being unduly critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Okupe, who served as the Director General of Peter Obi’s campaign under the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election, expressed his support for Tinubu’s reforms, describing them as essential for the nation’s survival.

Okupe, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, revealed he met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday and praised the administration’s economic policies.

“In my estimation, the President is doing exceedingly well,” he said, noting that while the current economic challenges are tough, they are necessary to prevent national collapse.

Okupe, who supported Peter Obi during the election, conceded that “the better man won,” emphasizing that Tinubu’s policies, though difficult, are aimed at stabilizing the country in the long term.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient, adding that transformative progress often requires sacrifices and tough decisions.

The former campaign director’s remarks come as the nation continues to grapple with high inflation, subsidy removal, and other economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.

Okupe said Tinubu has just been in office for 17 months and should be given some more time.

“Just 17 months, how much can he (Tinubu) do?” Okupe asked.

“I am more than convinced that if this gentleman is given understanding, he would do better,” he said in defence of Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Talk is cheap,” Okupe added, throwing jabs at Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “None of the two other candidates can do what Tinubu is doing.”