The former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Dpyin Okupe has refuted claims that he betrayed Peter Obi, following recent remarks that appear to endorse President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
Okupe was instrumental in convincing the former Anambra Governor to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Labour Party (LP) in 2022 and led his campaign until an indictment in a financial fraud case forced him to resign.
Since then, Okupe has announced his departure from the Labour Party, leading to friction with Obi’s supporters.
In a video circulated on social media on Friday, July 19, 2024, Okupe denied betraying the former presidential candidate, stating he only withdrew his support because he no longer wished to work with Obi.
Conversely, he accused Obi of betraying former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by running in the last general election.
Okupe emphasized that Obi’s ambition for the presidency drove him to oppose Atiku, who had brought him into national politics.
“They said I betrayed Obi. No. How can I betray him? I started politics in 1978. Obi was not even around. My life and political destiny cannot be tied to Obi’s ambition. I wish Obi well, but I am done with him. We had a goal, but we couldn’t achieve it.
“Obi was Atiku Abubakar’s vice-presidential candidate in 2019. Atiku brought him to national prominence. Because of his own ambition, which was valid, Obi left the party and ran against Atiku. If people say I betrayed Obi, what did Obi do to Atiku? That is not fair.
“It was Obi’s 2023 ambition that led him to clash with his former mentor. Obi was not my mentor; I was his supporter. If I supported him up to a point and then decided to be independent, how is that an offence?” Okupe said.
He explained that he dropped his presidential ambition to support Obi after Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, encouraged him to back candidates from the South-East region.
“Baba said if we are rotating it to the south, which section of the south should it go? And I said, Baba, in truth and fairness, let us be factual. The Southwest has had a president, Obasanjo. The South-South has had a president, Jonathan, recently. Only the South East has not had a chance, and I found that to be an injustice, but there is nothing a single person can do.”
