“Circulating Accounts of Doyin Okupe Viral Video Are False” – P.L.A.Y Forum

Several reports have been circulating online, stating that Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, was booed by journalists, after he delivered a disparaging speech about APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. The video of the purported incident went viral.

It was alleged that Okupe delivered the speech at an event held at the Presidential Villa, and that journalists present  booed him in response to statements such as“General Buhari is not electable and will not be elected by the grace of God… Nigeria will not have a president that didn’t go to school…”

Watch the video:

However, spokespersons from the P.L.A.Y (Political Leadership Among Youths) Forum say that the circulating accounts of the viral video are false. Here is an official statement they released exclusively to BN on the issue:

It has come to the attention of the P.L.A.Y Forum that several respected citizens, and bloggers have been engaged in what we can only describe as erroneous reporting regarding the Play Forum Townhall Meeting that held on Sunday, February 1st 2015.

A video of Doyin Okupe was released, in which he discussed Buhari and the future of the nation has been circulating online. Contrary to media reports, Okupe was not speaking at an event held at the Presidential Villa. He was actually speaking at the P.L.A.Y Forum Townhall Meeting, a non-partisan event set up to foster youth engagement in matters of the nation, specifically in regards to voting officials into political office. It was held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Congress Hall, Abuja.

Attendees held different political affiliations – some of them were pro-APC, others were pro-PDP, while certain individuals represented other parties. Some were also non-partisan.

In the video clip that was disseminated, Okupe, who is a member of PDP, was expressing his perspective on why he felt APC presidential aspirant, Muhammadu Buhari was not the best choice for Nigeria. The pro-APC audience members expressed their disagreement with his statements by chanting “APC.”

We hope this statement clears up any misconceptions pertaining to the video.

Sincerely,
The Play Forum