Veteran journalist and Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, criticized former presidential spokesman Doyin Okupe for supporting President Bola Tinubu despite the ongoing economic hardship in the country. Momodu noted that Okupe had a history of supporting failing administrations, despite clear evidence of their shortcomings.
Momodu expressed surprise at Okupe’s shift in allegiance from Peter Obi, whom he supported during the 2023 presidential election, to Tinubu and his policies. In a post on his X account, the publisher and politician urged Okupe to join others in demanding good governance rather than defending ineffective policies.
Momodu recalled Okupe’s pattern of defending various governments since his tenure as Obasanjo’s spokesman in 1999, questioning what Nigeria had gained from such support. He recounted his own experience of withdrawing support from Buhari in 2015 due to a lack of direction and urged Okupe to prioritize good leadership over loyalty to failing governments.
Momodu also mentioned a bet he had with Okupe during the Jonathan administration, where Okupe was confident of Jonathan’s victory but lost. He criticized Okupe for persuading leaders based on theoretical economic indices without considering practical realities.
He stated, “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.“
Furthermore, Momodu acknowledged Okupe’s work on the presidential bids of Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Governor Peter Obi but questioned Okupe’s sudden support for Tinubu. He emphasized the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerians and criticized Okupe and Reno Omokri for defending Tinubu’s government, which he described as profligate.
Momodu concluded by stating that he would support Tinubu if he made significant reforms, such as reducing government spending, promoting agriculture, and empowering youths with vocational grants. However, he asserted that no government could succeed with advisers like Okupe.
