2023: Doyin Okupe withdraws from presidential race, declares support for Obi
A former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has withdrawn from the 2023 presidential contest even as he also declared support for a former Anambra State Governor,Mr.r Peter Obi.
Dr. Okupe who made the declaration Wednesday, while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital city, said his move was to ensure equity, justice, and fairness between the Northern and Southern parts of the country.
Obi was vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 declared his interest to run for the president of Nigeria in 2023.
He made the declaration, last Thursday, while addressing traditional rulers and Presidents-General of the 181 communities in the state at Government House, Awka, Anambra State .
Okupe said “I have come to inform you of my intention to contest the 2023 presidential election. I need your support,” the newspaper quoted Mr Obi as telling the monarchs.
He disclosed that he has consulted far and wide with the political stakeholders in the South before taking the decision.
While speaking on zoning arrangement by the presidential ticket in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okupe said: “I observed that the leadership of the PDP seems to be driving us all towards a fait accompli.
“The most central consideration concerning the presidential primaries is the issue of zoning”.
Okupe was once a Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former Obasanjo.
He had also served as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
