20th March, 2021
Doyin Okupe, a former aide to Ex-Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan respectively, has tendered an open apology over his controversial posts on Saturday.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, Okupe explained why the North will not support the Igbo presidency in 2023.
According to Okupe, the North are yet to forgive the Igbo over the incidences of 1966 of which one of the high points was the killing of Sardauna of Sokoto in which until today is believed by many people to be an Igbo coup.
The former presidential aide, who has declared his interest to run in the 2023 presidency, pointed out that if the Igbos reach a consensus with the North, in the interest of equity, fairness, and national unity, he will shelve his ambition.
“A national consensus for Igbo Presidency cannot evolve until the core north forgives the Igbos for the killing of Sardauna of Sokoto by Nigerian soldiers of Igbo extraction in the 1966 Coup.
“If this consensus emerges, in the interest of equity, fairness & national unity, I will shelve my ambition & support whoever is chosen as a candidate by my party.
“However, in the event that this national consensus is not achievable, I WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2023 by God’s Grace.
“This is the political Knot only the Igbo leaders must spearhead and with the support of other well-meaning Nigerians, resolve with a high level of humility and political dexterity,” he said.
However, the post stirs controversies on social media.
Check out some of the reactions below:
https://twitter.com/DrOlufunmilayo/status/1373349944191553543
https://twitter.com/UgwunnaEjikem/status/1373313066880876552
Doyin Okupe is a monumental moron. An ethnic bigot and a political jobber. He is in the same whatsapp group with Femi Fani Kayode. More than 3million ndi Igbo were starved to death and you still have the guts to ask ndị Igbo to apologize.
— Unu Amaro Kam Siri Kwado (@AfamDeluxo) March 20, 2021
Okupe has now apologised via his Twitter account, noting that he regretted his comments.
“I tender my unreserved apology to the Igbos and other Nigerians who felt offended by my post on Igbo presidency and the North. I never intended to hurt or demean the Igbos. Instead, I wanted to help actualize the dream. I regret the said post, and I am truly sorry,” Okupe stated.