Former presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe, has responded to the recent comments on social media by the publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu.

Momodu had, in a post via his official X account on Friday, knocked Okupe for supporting President Bola Tinubu despite the prevailing economic hardship.

The veteran journalist said since he had known Okupe, the former presidential spokesperson had been in the habit of supporting utter failures despite evidence suggesting all was not well with the country.

Reacting in a post on his X account on Friday, Okupe refuted Momodu’s assertion that he has praised every government since 1999, clarifying that he only served as an adviser during President Obasanjo’s administration, which he considers one of the most successful since the advent of the Fourth Republic.
The former presidential aide stated that he played no significant role in President Yar’Adua’s administration and served as an adviser again during President Jonathan’s tenure.

Okupe defended Jonathan’s administration, emphasizing its economic achievements, including boosting Nigeria’s GDP to $500 billion and securing the top economic position in Africa.

He suggested that Jonathan’s defeat in the subsequent election was due to factors beyond economic performance, hinting at political intricacies that Momodu might not be privy to.
Okupe also addressed his associations with a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, comparing them to Momodu’s current association with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and dismissed any allegations of inconsistency as mischief.

He wrote,” My dear Dele, it was nice to see you again at Chief Osoba’s 80th birthday, just as it is to read your comments about my rejoinder to Reno’s response to your condemnation of this administration. Frankly speaking and putting sentiments apart, Reno’s response to your article was a masterpiece in terms of facts assembled therein. I am always in awe of that young man’s ability to research and succinctly put together his narratives.
“You may hate Reno, or be angry with him for his opinions, but his facts are unassailable. With me also I am surprised u also did not stay with the facts. U retorted that I have advised and praised every govt since 1999. That is not true. I only acted as an adviser in the Obj’s administration, which remains one of the most successful since the advent of the 4th Republic. I did not play any significant role in the Yaradua administration that succeeded Obj’s.

“I became an adviser for the second time in the Jonathan administration, which was defeated by the Gen Buhari-led APC. Jonathan’s defeat was not because of any societal hardship or economic issues. Jonathan’s administration led Nigeria to an economically prosperous Nation, taking our GDP to $500B, and an unprecedented number 1 position in Africa.”

Okupe stated that he is neither a member of the All Progressives Congress nor an adviser to the Tinubu administration, saying that he only supports President Tinubu’s reforms.

He acknowledged the temporary hardship the removal of fuel subsidies and the equalization of the forex market have caused but expressed confidence in their long-term benefits.

He said, “Why Jonathan was “defeated” is another matter entirely which may not be known to u because of your remoteness to the inner core of political power play at that time. This will be a topic for another day. My associations with Bukola Saraki and Peter Obi are in no way different from your current association with HE Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. All three were presidential aspirants or candidates of different parties at different times. Making any issues out of this is nothing but crass mischief. I am neither a member of the APC nor an adviser to the administration.
“I appreciate the bold initiatives President Bola Tinubu took to remove the fuel subsidy, which was assented to by ALL candidates during the campaign. I also fully support the sectoral equalization of our forex market. Both reforms are responsible for the hardship our people are currently experiencing, but which I believe will be temporary judging by the strenuous efforts the govt is making towards ameliorating them.

“This is not praise singing. I do not count myself as a member of the opposition, hence I am able to be objective and understandingly supportive. I may not have had a hand in installing this govt, but it is my country and I am a stakeholder in it. I do not pray for it to crash or go down. This cannot be an offence.”

Okupe expressed a desire for constructive and professional criticism rather than personal attacks and extended his appreciation to Momodu for a past act of generosity.

He added, “We all are practitioners, players and known actors in this Amphitheater, no need to go personal. Let’s keep criticisms rational, mature and professional. Finally, Dele, let me publicly acknowledge and appreciate your generosity in granting me that much-appreciated debt forgiveness of $20k. I could not afford it! But truly, then, I never imagined we could lose that election. However, man proposes, but God Almighty ONLY disposes. My dear Aburo, who I love and adore so much, I wish you well. God bless.”

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