2023 election: Was Peter Obi a pawn? Some Netizens think so

A former presidential aide, Doyin Okupe, has caused a wave of reactions and conspiracy theories on social media following his recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu as the best candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Okupe, who once campaigned for Peter Obi of the Labour Party, stated that hindsight has shown him that Tinubu is the most suitable for the presidency.

“Let me tell you, of all the people that actually ran for president in 2023, by the benefit of hindsight, Bola Tinubu is the best,” Okupe said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

“I have seen Peter Obi, I have been with Atiku Abubakar, I also knew Bola Tinubu many years ago. I have not seen him in the last 7 to 8 years, that is not the point, but he is the best in terms of capability, commitment and knowledge.”

Okupe’s statement, however, has sparked widespread speculation and criticism. His previous role as Obi’s spokesman came to an end following a judgement by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which found him guilty of receiving over N200 million in cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

Given Okupe’s extensive involvement during Obi’s campaign, where he toured all 36 states with Obi to seek support, many on X are left questioning why he would suddenly have a change of heart to endorse Tinubu instead of his former principal, Obi.

Some have even alleged that Okupe may have been instrumental in facilitating Tinubu’s victory, causing another speculation alleging that Obi may have also been used as a pawn against Atiku to facilitate Tinubu’s victory.

Netizens on X, like @Enwagboso, suggested a conspiracy, saying, “Despite any arguments to the contrary, I maintain that Peter Obi worked for Bola Tinubu. Dr. Okupe embarked on a tour of the states of the federation with Peter Obi…”

@de_generalnoni added to the conspiracy theories, saying, “After watching Doyin Okupe’s video, I can tell you for free… Peter Obi was used to divide Atiku’s vote! Peter Obi was the pawn in the chess of last election! It was all planned and I am sure Obi might be aware…He played along…. Omo 9ja politics ya were gan o! 🤦‍♂️”

@emmaikumeh also echoes this similar conspiracy, alleging, “Doyin Okupe not only did a smooth political operation for Tinubu, but he also committed blasphemy. Omo, this man really used Peter Obi and his obedients. Played them silly. To think Doyin Okupe was the Director General of the campaign – he was in charge as a double agent. We warned, and we called him out as an active agent working for Tinubu. Obedients called us names and insulted us. Today, as always, history has vindicated us and proven us right. I hope y’all Obidients have learned a thing or two.”

Some even stated that it was incomprehensible that Okupe, a former chieftain in the Peoples Democratic Party, who left the party to support Obi in the Labour Party, joined the recent trend of presidential aides, leaving their principal to support President Tinubu.

@trendwithola “It’s understandable enough that Daniel Bwala and Reno Omokri betrayed Atiku Abubakar cos they must feed and have bills to pay. But which one is that of this 72-year-old Doyin Okupe own? The corns from Tinubu is at work. Peter Obi please be more vigilant as from now on, there are more Okupes and Abure.”

@DavidEboh5 “Doyin Okupe has demonstrated a character typical of traitors. He has exposed his weakness and proven his lack of principle, integrity, honesty and good conscience. Dr Okupe has settled where he truly belongs, in the filthy reputation of F. Fani-Kayode, D. Bwala and Reno Omokri.”

@U_Rochas “As usual, Obidients will remind you of how Bwala and Reno are now with BAT. Your truth is not accepting that both Reno and Bwala campaigned heavily for Atiku Abubakar and were on his side. However, the reason why are you neophytes is because Okupe put out a thread endorsing a BAT presidency and more than 80% of your camp ran with it. Many of your influencers were recruited by Okupe, many of your influencers campaigned more against Atiku than the APC Govt itself.”

@festajayi “Long gone are the days when Nigerian elders served as symbols of forthrightness and hope. Now, majority of them speak from both sides of their mouth, especially those who have been in the political arena for ages. Pathetic.”

@Suleimabaker “Anybody who knows Dr. Doyin should understand that he is sick and needs all the monetary benefits from this panjandrum government.”

@ayemojubar “So Doyin Okupe chaired the presidential campaign of a man he didn’t believe in? Isn’t that another definition of insanity?”

@PureStanley1 “Why does Seun keep inviting clowns to interview on his show? Okupe comparing PO to Tinubu is an insult to PO’s personality. Okupe needs help, but Nigerians are ignoring him instead of taking him to a mental health facility.”

@legend_082 “The true enemies of the state are those who will see the mess that the country is in, and still lie through their teeth that Tinubu has an iota of credibility or clue about running a country. Okupe right here is fending for his stomach.”

@EmmanuelAcheme “Doyin Okupe is desperately trying to discredit Peter Obi so it won’t look like he actually won the election, too late, APC knows the truth, Tinubu knows he lost the election, except for the manipulation, No one can rewrite this story of 2023 general election.”

Although Okupe has defended his position of endorsing Tinubu by explaining that his support for Obi was originally driven by a shared belief that a Southerner should be the president, he notes that his reassessment of Tinubu’s capabilities came with the benefit of hindsight and experience.