How Ill Health Prevented Doyin Okupe From Becoming King Of Iperu Remo Before His Death –Family Source
The Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo, passed away on February 6, 2025, at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, causing a profound loss to Iperu-Remoland.
Dr. Doyin Okupe narrowly missed the opportunity to become the next Alaperu of Iperu Remo, the monarch of his hometown in Ogun State, due to ill health.
The Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo, passed away on February 6, 2025, at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, causing a profound loss to Iperu-Remoland.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who is Okupe’s cousin and also a son of Iperu, described the passing of the Alaperu as a personal and significant loss to Iperu-Remoland.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Okupe, who served as a spokesperson for former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, passed away on Friday morning at the age of 72 after a prolonged battle with illness.
Okupe’s death follows a long struggle with prostate cancer.
However, SaharaReporters learned on Friday morning that Okupe was approached by some kingmakers and ‘prominent sons and daughters’ of the town to succeed the late monarch.
This consideration was especially notable given that his cousin, Dapo Abiodun, a prominent son of the town and a strong candidate himself, is currently serving as the Governor of Ogun State.
“You know Okupe and Governor Dapo Abiodun are both from Iperu and are also cousins. When the Oba of Iperu-Remo passed on recently, Okupe was called by some kingmakers and sons and daughters of the town to prepare to succeed him,” a family source privy to the situation said.
“At that time, they didn’t know he was really sick. So he declined the offer because of ill health. That was how he missed being made the king.”
Earlier on Friday, Governor Dapo Abiodun described the death of Okupe, a former presidential aide and political strategist, as a “profound personal loss.”
His demise, Governor Abiodun noted, was both painful and deeply felt.
“Receiving the news of the passing of my elder brother, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has left me with a profound sense of personal loss, especially coming so soon after the transition of the Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo,” Governor Abiodun stated in a condolence message.
Governor Abiodun acknowledged Okupe’s fluid political journey, noting that while he switched affiliations over the years, he never severed relationships across political divides.
“Although he shifted political alliances as situations evolved, aligning with the National Republican Convention (NRC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Accord Party, and the Labour Party, he never severed ties with his friends across political platforms. Even after the 2023 general election, he openly admired and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s progressive vision,” Abiodun said.
