Former Presidential Press Secretary, Doyin Okupe has reacted to recent social media comments made by the Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu.
Momodu, through his official X account on Friday, criticised Okupe for supporting President Bola Tinubu despite prevailing economic hardships.
The veteran journalist said from the time he knew Okupe, the former presidential spokesperson had a habit of espousing total failure despite evidence showing the country was not doing well.
Okupe, in a post on his X account on Friday, denied claims by Momodu that he had praised every government since 1999, stating that he had only served as an advisor under President Obasanjo, an administration he considered one of the most successful since the inception of the Fourth Republic.
The former presidential aide said he did not play a significant role in President Yar’Adua’s administration but served as an adviser again during President Jonathan’s tenure.
Okupe defended Jonathan’s administration, highlighting its economic achievements, including boosting Nigeria’s GDP to $500 billion and securing the country’s top economic position in Africa.
He suggested that Jonathan’s defeat in the subsequent election was due to factors other than his economic performance, hinting at political complexities of which Momodu may not be aware.
Okupe also touched on his relationship with former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, and dismissed claims of inconsistency as spiteful, comparing it with Momodu’s relationship with now former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He wrote: “Dear Dele, It was a pleasure to meet you again on Chief Osoba’s 80th birthday. It was as much a pleasure to read your comments on my response to Reno’s response to your denunciation of the current administration. Frankly, sentiments aside, Reno’s response to your article was a masterpiece in terms of the facts gathered therein. I am always in awe of the young man’s research skills and ability to succinctly put together a story.”
“You may hate Reno or be upset by his opinions but his facts are unshakable. I, like you, am surprised that you have not stuck to the facts. You retorted that I have advised and praised every government since 1999. That is not true. I was only an advisor to the Obuji administration, which was one of the most successful administrations since the birth of the Fourth Republic. I do not have a significant role in the Yar’Adua administration that succeeded Obuji.
“I became an adviser to the Jonathan administration for the second time, which was defeated by General Buhari’s APC. Jonathan’s defeat was not due to social or economic challenges. The Jonathan administration led Nigeria to become an economically prosperous nation, raising the GDP to $500 billion and achieving an unprecedented number one position in Africa.”
Okupe said he was neither a member of the All Progressives Congress nor an adviser to Tinubu’s government, but only supported President Tinubu’s reforms.
He acknowledged the temporary difficulties caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the smoothing of foreign exchange markets, but expressed confidence in the long-term benefits.
He said: “Why Jonathan was ‘defeated’ is an entirely separate matter which you may not know as you were far removed from the core of political power at the time. This is a topic for another day. My relationship with Bukola Saraki and Peter Obi is no different from your current relationship with His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. All three were presidential candidates or candidates who ran from different parties at different times. Making an issue of this is nothing but vulgar mischief. I am neither a member of the APC nor an adviser to its administration.”
“I commend President Bola Tinubu for taking the bold step of removing fuel subsidies, a move that was endorsed by all candidates during the election campaign. I also fully support the sectoral equalization of the foreign exchange market. These two reforms are the cause of the hardships our people are currently experiencing, but judging by the hard work the government is doing to remedy them, I believe they will be temporary.”
“This is not a hymn. I am not part of the opposition so I can be an objective and understanding supporter. I may not have had a hand in putting this government in place but this is my country and I am a stakeholder in it. I am not praying for the government to collapse or fall. This is not a crime.”
Okupe expressed preference for constructive and professional criticism rather than personal attacks and thanked Momodu for his past acts of generosity.
He added, “We are all practitioners, players and well-known actors in this amphitheatre. There is no need to make personal criticisms. Let criticisms be rational, mature and professional. Finally, Dele, I publicly acknowledge and thank you for your generosity in granting me a debt forgiveness of $20,000. I could not have afforded it! But truly, I never imagined that I would lose that election. But man plans but God Almighty only makes it happen. My dear Abro whom I love and worship very much, I wish you the best of luck. May God bless you.”
