Doyin Okupe, former Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s economy, asserting that neither his former principal Peter Obi nor PDP’s Atiku Abubakar could have managed the situation as effectively.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Okupe acknowledged Tinubu’s courage in tackling economic challenges, saying, “None of the three major candidates in the last election, except Tinubu, could have faced this quagmire and had the heart to tackle it. They don’t even have the knowledge and resources to do what he is doing now.”
When asked if his stance was a betrayal of Obi, whom he once endorsed as the best candidate, Okupe clarified that his view changed after witnessing Tinubu’s determined efforts to revive the economy.
“By benefit of hindsight, there’s no betrayal. I believed in Peter Obi; he was a great candidate. But we lost, and a better man won. After meeting Tinubu, I’m convinced that with support and time, he can pull us out of this crisis.”
Okupe also responded to Atiku’s recent critique of Tinubu’s policies, noting that Atiku’s proposed solutions lacked feasibility.
He criticized Atiku’s suggestion to borrow $35 billion for reforms, pointing out that international lenders have largely closed the door to Nigeria.
Referring to the enduring fuel subsidy issue, Okupe credited Tinubu as the only leader in two decades bold enough to address it head-on. He concluded, “Only a brave leader with the mental resources and self-confidence could do what Tinubu is doing.”
