Dr Doyin Okupe, Renowned Political Strategist and Ex-Presidential Aide, Dies at 72

Dr. Doyin Okupe, a renowned Nigerian physician, politician, and former presidential aide, has passed away at the age of 72, just 15 days shy of his birthday on March 22.

According to family sources, Okupe died on Friday, March 7, 2025, after being critically ill for several weeks.

Okupe’s health had significantly deteriorated, causing concern among his loved ones and supporters.

He had been battling cancer for 16 years, initially diagnosed with prostate cancer and later developing sarcoma in his right shoulder. In October 2023, Okupe was hospitalized with prostate cancer and received treatment in Israel.

A key figure in Nigerian politics, Okupe served as a senior adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan and later as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign.

Okupe was publicist at various times to Nigerian presidential aspirants of the PDP, including President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Goodluck Jonathan, Bukola Saraki and Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In July 2017, he announced his decision to leave the PDP to join the Accord Party, but for accepting to be the Chairman of the Campaign Media Council of Bukola Saraki for the 2019 presidential primaries of the PDP, the Accord Party expelled him in September 2018.

He subsequently returned to the PDP, and became a spokesman of the Presidential Campaign Organisation of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP candidate for president in the 2019 Nigerian presidential election.

Okupe joined the Labour Party ahead of 2023 Nigerian general election and stood in as the running mate and vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party until a substantive candidate was picked.

Okupe is married to Aduralere Okupe with two children. His contributions to politics, medicine, and public service will be deeply missed.

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