In a candid and sharply-worded tweet, media personality Dele Momodu has expressed his dismay at the political maneuvers and affiliations of former presidential aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe. Momodu’s message highlights a history of political flip-flopping and questions the tangible benefits Nigeria has gained from Okupe’s support of various administrations.
Momodu recalled his long-standing position in opposition, contrasting it with Okupe’s consistent defense of successive governments since his tenure as spokesman for former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. He criticized Okupe’s unwavering support for policies he deemed detrimental to Nigeria’s progress. Reflecting on his own brief support for President Buhari in 2015, Momodu noted that he quickly withdrew his support due to a perceived lack of direction and has since been vocal in his opposition.
Highlighting a personal anecdote, Momodu recounts a bet made with Okupe at the London Hilton Metropole during the waning days of President Jonathan’s administration. Confident in Jonathan’s victory, Okupe wagered $20,000, a bet he ultimately lost. According to Momodu, Okupe requested debt forgiveness two years ago at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
Momodu critiqued the reliance on theoretical economic indices, emphasizing the need for a balance with practical economic measures. He points out that even international praise, such as that received by President William Ruto of Kenya, does not guarantee economic stability or success domestically.
Touching on Okupe’s political journey, Momodu notes his involvement in the presidential bid of Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his subsequent support for Governor Peter Obi. He further noted that he doesn’t understand why he and his former colleague Reno Omokri have now made President Bola Tinubu their idol.
Read his tweet below………………..
“My dear Egbon, DR DOYIN OKUPE, I’m more amazed at your flip-flops Sir. You’re Reno’s senior in engaging in sophistry since your days as Obasanjo’s Spokesman in 1999, till you fell out. You’ve defended almost all governments since then with your eloquence. What has Nigeria gained! (I’ve been consistently in opposition in the last 42 years. Even the Buhari that I supported, regrettably, in 2015, I dumped within two months when I saw a total lack of direction, and I’ve apologised profusely and endlessly. I will never defend useless government policies.
“There’s nothing more we want Nigeria to give us at this age and stage than good Leadership…) You and I met at the London Hilton Metropole in the dying days of the Jonathan government and you boasted that no Jupiter can defeat Jonathan in an election. We had a bet of 20k USD and you lost. You begged me for debt forgiveness just two years ago at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja… I’m sure you must have persuaded the gentleman that since the economists rated Nigeria very high, he can never be defeated. But you forgot that a government must never rely solely on theoretical economic indices. It must be balanced with real and practical economy. (About two months ago, President William Ruto of Kenya was given Royal welcome to the White House in Washington DC. Today, he is being treated like a pariah in his own country. Heaps of praises from Western world cannot guarantee a safe economy…) You later worked on the Presidential bid of Senate President DR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI before ending up with GOVERNOR PETER OBI.
“I won’t bother about the outcomes. Like Reno, I acknowledge your brilliance, but only both of you know why TINUBU is your sudden IDOL… The people of Nigeria have never had things so bad and you’re both defending a profligate government with untenable economic hocus pocus… I will personally carry TINUBU on my head if he’s able to cut the reckless spending of his government, make palpable sacrifices, ignite agricultural revolution, empower our brilliant and energetic youths with vocational grants instead of distributing cash to phantom politicians, etc… But with advisers like you, no government can succeed…”
