Doyin Okupe
Ex-Presidential Aide, Doyin Okupe, Dies at 72
Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former presidential aide, has passed away at the age of 72.
His death was confirmed by family sources to Channels Television on Friday. Okupe, who hailed from Ogun State, died in the early hours of the same day.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun expressed deep sorrow over Okupe’s demise, describing it as a “personal loss.”
In a statement, the governor said, “Receiving the news of the passing of my elder brother, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has left me with a profound sense of personal loss, especially coming so soon after the transition of the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo. Without a doubt, Dr. Okupe’s departure leaves a void that will not be easily filled.”
Governor Abiodun highlighted Okupe’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, noting, “Beyond his political and professional engagements, Dr. Okupe was an affable, easy-going, and principled individual who, despite never flaunting his credentials, played a significant role in Nigeria’s resistance to military rule. Like many other democracy advocates, he endured detention and persecution under military regimes, standing firm in his convictions.”
The governor extended his condolences to the Okupe family and prayed that the “Almighty God grants his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Last year, Okupe had publicly shared his battle with cancer, which he said caused significant weight loss. Speaking on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, he revealed, “It’s part in part, the first problem was cancer I had, and the chemotherapy makes you lose appetite, you have nausea, and even as you sustain for several months, you lose weight. When I started chemotherapy, I was 127kg, and then I came down to 97kg… the chemotherapy ended, and I went back to 103kg.”
A medical doctor by profession, Okupe practiced as a health practitioner before venturing into politics. In 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs. He later served as the Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign for the 2023 election, playing a key role in the party’s campaign before leaving due to ideological differences.
Born in Iperu, Ogun State, Okupe attended St. Jude’s School and Igbobi College in Lagos State before studying medicine at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. His passing marks the end of a life dedicated to both medicine and the political development of Nigeria.
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