Doyin Okupe Responds to Dele Momodu's Criticisms

 Former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, has addressed recent comments made by media personality Dele Momodu on social media. In a detailed post, Okupe responded to Momodu's criticisms, offering his perspective on various political matters and defending his actions and affiliations over the years.

Okupe began by recalling a recent meeting with Momodu at Chief Osoba's 80th birthday celebration. He praised Reno Omokri’s rebuttal to Momodu's condemnation of the current administration, calling Omokri's response a “masterpiece” and emphasizing its factual accuracy.

Refuting Momodu’s claim that he has praised every government since 1999, Okupe clarified 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. He noted 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, highlighting 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 aware of.

Okupe also addressed his associations with Bukola Saraki and Peter Obi, comparing them to Momodu’s current association with Atiku Abubakar, and dismissed any allegations of inconsistency as mischievous.

Okupe clarified that he is neither a member of the APC nor an adviser to the current administration. He expressed support for President Bola Tinubu's bold reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the equalization of the forex market, acknowledging the temporary hardship these measures have caused but expressing confidence in their long-term benefits.

Okupe emphasized that his support for these policies is not praise-singing but a demonstration of his objectivity and commitment to the country’s welfare. He called for constructive and professional criticism rather than personal attacks and extended his appreciation to Momodu for a past act of generosity.

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 you did not stay with the facts. You retorted that I have advised and praised every government since 1999. That is not true. I only acted as an adviser in the Obasanjo administration, which remains one of the most successful since the advent of the 4th Republic. I did not play any significant role in the Yar’Adua administration that succeeded Obasanjo.

I became an adviser for the second time in the Jonathan administration which was defeated by the 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. Why Jonathan was "defeated" is another matter entirely which may not be known to you 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 fuel subsidies, 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 government 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 government 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 offense.

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."