Governor Abiodun Mourns Doyin Okupe: ‘A Personal Loss’
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described the passing of Dr. Doyin Okupe as a deep personal loss.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade, Abiodun expressed grief over Okupe’s death, which comes shortly after the loss of the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo.
The governor paid tribute to Okupe’s lifelong service to Nigeria, emphasizing his dedication as a patriotic statesman and a committed member of the progressive political family.
“Receiving the news of the passing of my elder brother, Dr Doyin Okupe has left me with a profound sense of personal loss.
“Without a doubt, Okupe’s departure leaves a void that will not be easily filled.
“Beyond his political and professional engagements, Dr Okupe was an easy-going and principled individual who, despite never flaunting his credentials, played a significant role in Nigeria’s resistance to military rule,” Abiodun stated.
He highlighted Okupe’s resilience, recalling how he endured persecution and detention under military regimes while standing firm in his convictions.
Despite Okupe’s changing political affiliations over the years, Abiodun acknowledged that he maintained strong relationships with family, friends, and associates across party lines.
“Although he shifted political alliances as situations evolved, aligning with the National Republican Convention (NRC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Accord Party, and the Labour Party, he never severed ties with his friends across political platforms.
“Even after the 2023 general election, he openly admired and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s progressive vision,” the governor added.
Concluding his tribute, Abiodun offered prayers for Okupe’s family, saying, “It is my sincere prayer that Almighty God grants his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Okupe, a native of Iperu-Remo in Ogun State’s Ikenne Local Government Area, passed away in the early hours of Friday in Lagos at the age of 72.
