Friday, July 19, 2024 -In a candid and sharply-worded tweet, media personality Dele Momodu has expressed his dismay at the political maneuvers and affiliations of former presidential aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe. Momodu's message highlights a history of political flip-flopping and questions the tangible benefits Nigeria has gained from Okupe's support of various administrations.
Momodu recalled his long-standing
position in opposition, contrasting it with Okupe's consistent defense of
successive governments since his tenure as spokesman for former President
Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. He criticized Okupe's unwavering support for policies
he deemed detrimental to Nigeria's progress. Reflecting on his own brief
support for President Buhari in 2015, Momodu noted that he quickly withdrew his
support due to a perceived lack of direction and has since been vocal in his
opposition.
Highlighting a personal anecdote,
Momodu recounts a bet made with Okupe at the London Hilton Metropole during the
waning days of President Jonathan's administration. Confident in Jonathan's
victory, Okupe wagered $20,000, a bet he ultimately lost. According to Momodu,
Okupe requested debt forgiveness two years ago at the Transcorp Hilton in
Abuja.
Momodu critiqued the reliance on
theoretical economic indices, emphasizing the need for a balance with practical
economic measures. He points out that even international praise, such as that
received by President William Ruto of Kenya, does not guarantee economic
stability or success domestically.
Touching on Okupe's political
journey, Momodu notes his involvement in the presidential bid of Senate
President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his subsequent support for Governor
Peter Obi. He further noted that he doesn't understand why he and his former
colleague Reno Omokri have now made President Bola Tinubu their idol.
Read his tweet below………………..
“My dear Egbon, DR DOYIN OKUPE, I'm more amazed at your
flip-flops Sir. You're Reno's senior in engaging in sophistry since your days
as Obasanjo's Spokesman in 1999, till you fell out. You've defended almost all
governments since then with your eloquence. What has Nigeria gained! (I've been
consistently in opposition in the last 42 years. Even the Buhari that I
supported, regrettably, in 2015, I dumped within two months when I saw a total
lack of direction, and I've apologised profusely and endlessly. I will never
defend useless government policies.
"There's
nothing more we want Nigeria to give us at this age and stage than good
Leadership...) You and I met at the London Hilton Metropole in the dying days
of the Jonathan government and you boasted that no Jupiter can defeat Jonathan
in an election. We had a bet of 20k USD and you lost. You begged me for debt
forgiveness just two years ago at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja... I'm sure you
must have persuaded the gentleman that since the economists rated Nigeria very
high, he can never be defeated. But you forgot that a government must never
rely solely on theoretical economic indices. It must be balanced with real and
practical economy. (About two months ago, President William Ruto of Kenya was
given Royal welcome to the White House in Washington DC. Today, he is being
treated like a pariah in his own country. Heaps of praises from Western world
cannot guarantee a safe economy...) You later worked on the Presidential bid of
Senate President DR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI before ending up with GOVERNOR PETER
OBI.
"I won't bother about the outcomes. Like Reno, I acknowledge your
brilliance, but only both of you know why TINUBU is your sudden IDOL... The
people of Nigeria have never had things so bad and you're both defending a
profligate government with untenable economic hocus pocus... I will personally
carry TINUBU on my head if he's able to cut the reckless spending of his
government, make palpable sacrifices, ignite agricultural revolution, empower
our brilliant and energetic youths with vocational grants instead of
distributing cash to phantom politicians, etc... But with advisers like you, no
government can succeed...”
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