Dr Doyin Okupe, a former spokesperson for former President Goodluck Jonathan, has withdrew from the presidential election in 2023.
Okupe further stated that he will now endorse Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State.
On Wednesday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, spoke at a news conference at the NUJ Secretariat in Iwe Iroyin, Abeokuta, Ogun State, stating it would be wrong for the PDP to abandon zoning.
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Even though “I was the first to declare for the presidency in Nigeria,” he stated he had abandoned his dream and given it to the South East in the spirit of justice and equity.
According to him, Ayo Adebanjo, the chairman of the Pan-Yoruba organisation Afenifere, informed him in a meeting that the next president had to come from the South East, and that he had gone beyond Afenifere to choose Peter Obi, whom he thought to be a right peg in a right hole.
Okupe stated that people in charge of the PDP “are attempting to hoodwink those of us contenders from the South into committing themselves to collect the necessary paperwork before coming out with the initial position that “any zone may challenge the presidency.”
“This stance is politically false, unfair, and inequitable,” he stated.
Okupe said as a politician that he would press on with his “unrepentant desire for a rotation of power to the south.”
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“I turned 70 years a few days ago, and I have made a covenant with my maker that for the rest of my life, I shall uphold this spirit and principles of our forebears as manifestly displayed and represented in our collective socio-political heritage – THE AFENIFERE.
“Two weeks ago, Pa Ayo Adebanjo called me for the first time into his bedroom and admonished me that no matter what circumstances we Yorubas find ourselves in the ever gyrating political circus of Nigeria, I must uphold the truth and follow the path of equity and justice.
“In aligning myself with the wish of our elders and in the interest of equity and justice, I publicly admit that the 2023 political race must be conceded to the South-East; that is, the Igbos.
“I, therefore, here and now proclaim that I am, as I have said publicly several times, withdrawing from the presidential race and I am declaring my support for the best aspirant not only in Igboland but in Nigeria as a whole.
“I and my supporters within and outside the PDP are teaming up with His Excellency, Peter Obi.
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“At the same time, I want to enjoin all other aspirants from the South; Chief Dele Momodu, Senator Anyim, and His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike to come with me and let us team up with Peter Obi. So we can give the South the best possible chance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am not fanning the embers of division, rather I am by this action lightening the torch of unity by establishing political stability on the pillars of truth and justice upon which the Bible tells us that even the throne of the Almighty God is founded,” Okupe submitted.
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