Doyin Okupe, a Nigerian politician and former presidential aide, has passed away.
He was aged 72.
According to sources close to the family, Doyin Okupe had been critically ill in the weeks leading up to his death.
His health had reportedly deteriorated significantly, causing concern among his loved ones and supporters.
According to Sahara Reporters, Okupe had been diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago and later developed another form of cancer, sarcoma, in his right shoulder.
In October 2023, he was hospitalized with prostate cancer and traveled to Israel for treatment, but his condition failed to improve as hoped.
Early Life and Education
Born in Iperu, Ogun State, Okupe was the son of Chief Matthew Adekoya Okupe, a banker. He attended St. Jude’s School in Lagos and Igbobi College before studying medicine at the University of Ibadan. After becoming a doctor, he co-founded the Royal Cross Medical Centre in Lagos and served as its Managing Director.
Political Career
Okupe later ventured into politics, becoming the spokesperson for the National Republican Convention and serving as a media assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo. He also worked as a senior aide to President Goodluck Jonathan.
In 2022, Okupe briefly became the vice-presidential candidate for the Labour Party but stepped down shortly after. He then served as the Director-General of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign team. However, in January 2024, Okupe left the Labour Party, citing ideological differences, describing himself as a “rightist and liberal democrat.”
Controversy and Legal Issues
In December 2022, Okupe was found guilty of violating money laundering laws by accepting over N200 million in cash from former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, between 2012 and 2015.
The law prohibits cash payments exceeding N5 million without passing through a bank. Okupe was sentenced to two years in prison for each of 26 counts but paid a fine of N13 million to avoid jail time.
Dr. Okupe’s death marks the end of a distinguished but controversial career in both the medical and political spheres.
