Lagos, Nigeria – Former Director-Common of the Labour Social gathering (LP) Presidential Marketing campaign, Dr Doyin Okupe, has refuted allegations that the 2023 presidential election was rigged by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a press release launched on Thursday, Okupe argued that claims of electoral fraud lack credibility, pointing to surprising outcomes in key strongholds.
He questioned how the LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, might win in President Bola Tinubu’s dwelling state whereas the APC suffered losses within the strongholds of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the previous Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation.
“If Peter Obi (the LP presidential candidate) or the Labour Social gathering says APC rigged elections, how come Obi was capable of win within the dwelling base of President Bola Tinubu?” Okupe queried. “How come APC misplaced elections within the dwelling base of the sitting President (Muhammadu Buhari)? How come APC misplaced elections within the dwelling base of the secretary to that authorities?”
He acknowledged that whereas the election course of was not flawless, the general outcomes mirrored the need of the citizens. Okupe added, “Underneath the very best of circumstances, the outcomes might not have been precise, however the ratio can be related. We within the Labour Social gathering couldn’t have accomplished higher than we did, and that may be a dialogue for an additional day.”
Okupe criticised opposition events just like the LP and PDP for claiming that the presidency was “stolen,” calling such assertions unrealistic. He acknowledged, “There’s nothing like that. No presidency was stolen. Whereas I’m not saying there was no rigging, each election in Nigeria since 1960 has been rigged not directly, aside from MKO Abiola’s election, which was uniquely clear.”
Reward for Tinubu’s Management
Okupe expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s governance, likening him to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Premier of the Western Area, famend for his visionary insurance policies.
“Tinubu has impressed me not solely as a politician however as a technocrat. He has improvement ideologies and insurance policies at his fingertips,” Okupe mentioned. “To say he got here into workplace with no plan is baseless.”
Drawing on his expertise with previous administrations, Okupe praised Tinubu’s preparation for management, stating, “I’ve labored with two previous presidents and studied others intently. I have no idea any Nigerian president from 1960 up to now who has come extra ready for governance than this gentleman. Sadly, he has assumed workplace at a really difficult time.”
Name for Persistence Amid Reforms
Okupe urged Nigerians to be affected person with Tinubu, emphasizing that the present financial challenges are a part of mandatory reforms to deal with systemic points.
“It could be unfair to carry Tinubu accountable for the ills of 40 years. The President wants a minimal of two years for a few of his insurance policies to start yielding outcomes. The subsequent few years can be troublesome, however he’s doing what previous leaders over the past 10 or 20 years didn’t do,” Okupe acknowledged.
He famous that transformative progress typically comes with short-term sacrifices, citing examples of nations like Singapore and Malaysia. Okupe defined that Tinubu confronted a alternative between persevering with with “enterprise as normal” or implementing daring reforms.
“By the point he took workplace, 98 per cent of our income was getting used to pay debt. He had no different alternative however to undertake drastic measures,” Okupe remarked.
Rallying Help for Development
Okupe referred to as on Nigerians to help Tinubu’s administration in addressing the nation’s challenges and unlocking its development potential.
“The reforms are painful, however they’re mandatory for long-term improvement. Nigerians should rally behind the President to assist navigate these troublesome instances and transfer the nation ahead,” Okupe concluded.
