Doyin Okupe hits back at Afenifere’s criticism of Tinubu’s administration

August 30, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Former Presidential Spokesperson, Doyin Okupe, has come out in defense of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, urging all Nigerians to support the government’s efforts to revamp the economy.

Okupe’s comments come in response to criticism from Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, which expressed concern over the state of the economy.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, Okupe acknowledged the current socio-economic challenges but noted that the economy is beginning to show signs of recovery. He praised Afenifere for its nationalistic stance but described their response as belated.

““It is commendable that Afenifere, a pan- Yoruba socio- cultural organisation and now political group,has always lived to its nationalistic stance.

“This it does by criticising the government of the day in spite of the fact that a Yoruba man , Asiwaju Tinubu, is the current President of the country.

“This is one of the outstanding and commendable attributes of the Yoruba people as a race and Afenifere has been consistent in this patriotic display of true nationalism.

“However, while it is true that the country and its citizens are undergoing very harsh socio-economic conditions, principally because of strong and brave economic policies put in place to correct the economic quagmire brought on the country by the previous administration. Economic indicators show that the economy is begining to make a recovery and an obvious turn around is now clearly observable,” Mr Okupe said.

Okupe emphasized that the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, although harsh, are necessary to correct the economic mess left by the previous administration. He pointed to positive economic indicators, indicating a clear turnaround.

The former director-general of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation called for unity and support, saying, “All hands must be on deck to support this administration to succeed in its efforts to revamp the economy.”

Afenifere had expressed concern over the near collapse of the economy, citing widespread hardship. However, Okupe remains optimistic, urging Nigerians to give the Tinubu administration a chance to deliver on its promises.