Mayowa Banwo, personal assistant to former presidential spokesman Dr. Doyin Okupe has confirmed that the latter died in a hospital in Lagos.
Banwo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the 72-year-old died in the early hours of Friday at an undisclosed private hospital in Lagos.
The aide, however, stated that he had no information regarding the cause of death.
“Yes, it is true that he passed away. He died overnight at a hospital in Lagos. On the cause of his death, I do not know anything about that. All I know is that he has passed away,” Banwo said.
Describing the late politician as a “fantastic man,” Banwo added, “His death is a rude shock to all of us. He will be sorely missed.”
On the delay in confirming Okupe’s death by his family, Banwo explained that all of Okupe’s children were currently outside the country. “However, I can confirm to you that they are on their way back to the country to give other details about his death,” he said.
Okupe served as special assistant on media and publicity to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and as senior special assistant on public affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He was also the director-general of Peter Obi’s presidential campaign in the 2023 general elections before resigning his position.
In his final months, Okupe emerged as a vocal supporter of President Bola Tinubu and his reforms, granting media interviews to express his admiration for Tinubu’s leadership and agenda for the country.
