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Former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said on Saturday that he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but appreciates the bold reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Okupe, a former presidential spokesman, stated this on his X account while reacting to criticism over his support for the president.
The medical doctor turned politician has recently been criticized by LP supporters over remarks he made about the party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
On Friday, he stated that he did not betray the former governor of Anambra state but the latter betrayed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who brought him into politics.
He also confirmed that President Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election.
In his latest statement, Okupe urged his critics, especially the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, to stop being personal in their criticism.
He wrote: “I am not a member of the APC or an advisor to the government.
“I appreciate the bold initiative taken by President Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidies, which was agreed to by all candidates during the campaign.
“I also fully support the sectoral equalization of our foreign exchange market.
READ ALSO: For Peter Obi, Labour Party is a ‘means to an end’ —Okupe
“Both reforms are responsible for the difficulties our people are currently experiencing, but I am sure that this is only temporary, considering the hard work the government is doing to fix it.
“This is not a hymn. I do not consider myself a member of the opposition, therefore I can be objective and support with understanding.
“I may not have been involved in the formation of this government, but this is my country and I am a stakeholder in it. I do not pray for this government to collapse or fall. This cannot be considered an offense.”
“For critics, we are all practitioners, players, and actors known in this amphitheater, no need to be personal. Let’s convey criticism rationally, maturely, and professionally.”
Okupe also dismissed claims that he had praised every government since 1999.
The former presidential aide said he only acted as an adviser in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which he described as one of the most successful governments since the founding of the Fourth Republic.
Okupe said he did not play a significant role in the administration of late President Umaru Yar Adua.
He recalled that he served as an advisor for the second time in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to Okupe, his relationship with former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Obi is no different from Momodu’s current relationship with Atiku.
I am not in APC but appreciate Tinubu’s bold reforms —Okupe first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.
