“I Didn’t Betray Obi; He Betrayed Atiku. I Am Done With Him” – Okupe

Dr. Doyin Okupe, who served as the Director-General for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign in 2023, has leveled accusations of betrayal against Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate. In a widely circulated video, Okupe asserts that Obi’s decision to run for president against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, amounted to a betrayal.

Okupe, who initially supported Obi, claimed that Obi’s ambition to contest the presidency was a betrayal of Atiku, who had previously elevated Obi to national prominence. He refuted claims that he betrayed Obi, stating his decision to withdraw support stemmed from his disinterest in continuing the association.

“The notion that I betrayed Obi is unfounded. I began my political career in 1978 when Obi was not yet involved. My political future is not bound to Obi’s ambitions,” Okupe said. He highlighted that Obi’s departure from Atiku’s side and subsequent presidential bid in 2023 marked a departure from their previous association.

Okupe revealed that his support for Obi was initially influenced by Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a leader of the Yoruba group Afenifere, who advocated for a southern candidate in the 2023 presidential election. According to Okupe, Adebanjo recommended supporting the South-East, which led to backing Obi.

Describing his initial involvement, Okupe explained that he agreed to support Obi after Adebanjo’s advice, despite not having met Obi at that time. After meeting Obi and being appointed as campaign Director-General, Okupe said he realized the Labour Party lacked the necessary national structure to secure victory.

In response, Bello Adebayo, Chairman of the Labour Party in Osun State, rejected Okupe’s claims, asserting that Obi did not betray Atiku as he did not compete for the PDP presidential ticket.