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Tag: Chief Raymond Dokpesi

  • Senate caucus grills Dokpesi, Adeniran, others for PDP chair

    Senate caucus grills Dokpesi, Adeniran, others for PDP chair

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate Monday night met with six aspirants to the position of the party’s National Chairman.

    The meeting, which was still holding at the Asokoro private residence of the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

    The aspirants that appeared before the senators included Chief Olabode George, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Prince Uche Secondus, Prof Taoheed Adedoja and Mr Jimi Agbaje.

    The purpose of the meeting, which was being chaired by Akpabio was to interact with the aspirants, with the view to determining the suitability of each of the aspirants for the position of chairman.

    Secondus and Agbaje who are in their 50s, are the youngest of the aspirants and are considered late entrants into the race.

    George and Adeniran are in their 70s while Dokpesi and Adedoja are in their mid-60s.

    The aspirants are billed to also meet with the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi shortly before today’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the party’s Abuja secretariat.

    The NEC will be considering approval for the December 9 date and venue for the convention.

  • PDP chair: Dokpesi faults Ahmadu Ali’s position on S/West

    PDP chair: Dokpesi faults Ahmadu Ali’s position on S/West

    The chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi has faulted the position of a former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali on the choice of the next chairman of the party.

    Ali had on Tuesday, argued strongly for the slot to be given to the South West geopolitical zone, considering the fact that the zone had yet to occupy the position since the formation of the party in 1998.

    To buttress his argument, Ali had said, “We must be ready to ensure that at the convention, the main issue, which is the national chairmanship of the party, is well handled. If we don’t vote the South-West, we can as well forget the PDP”.

    But at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Dokpesi who is also a chairmanship aspirant, described Ali’s position as a mistake, stressing that the party leadership zoned the slot to the entire South and not the South West.

    Dokpesi said, “I said very clearly that I have a lot of respect for the elders of this party. I have a lot of respect for constituted authority, but they are human beings.

    “They are bound to make mistakes and the facts of the mistakes, having brought to their attention, so, they cannot continue repeating the mistakes, because the mistakes have been made”

    “The Ike Ekweremadu committee said the chairmanship should go to the entire South while the President goes to the North. We should allow all parts participate fairly

    “Anybody trying to manipulate this does so at a great risk to the party.
    An 88 member committee consisered this and affirmed that the zoning should be between North and South.

    “The National Convention zoned the position of the national chairman to the South and zoned the Presidency to the North. And there is no micro zoning; the convention would have said it is zoning it to the South West, but the convention in its wisdom did not do so”.

    Insisting that his desire to become the next PDP chairman remained strong, Dokpesi said his ongoing trial for alleged involvement in N2.1 billion arms purchase scam cannot affect his chances because no court has convicted him.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had dragged Dokpesi to court for his role in the $2.1 billion arms purchase scam, allegedly supervised by a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

    Speaking about his involvement in the formation of the All Peoples Democratic Aliance (APDA), Dokpesi said the party was formed as an alternative platform during the 14-month leadership crisis that rocked the PDP.

    According to him, faced with threats by the then Ali Modu Sheriff faction, PDP elders, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, saw the need to form an alternative platform to avoid being caught off guard.

    The Makarfi and Sheriff camps were locked in a fierce battle for the control of the PDP. But the Supreme Court, in a July 12judgment, affirmed Makarfi as the authentic leader of the PDP.

    Explaining his role in the formation of APDA, Dokpesi said, “I take full responsibility for the role I played in the formation and funding of APDA. It was set up as a plan B for the PDP at the peak of its internal crisis.

    “About 99 percent of persons who formed APDA belonged to the then Makarfi faction of the PDP.

    According to him, all critical organs of the PDP, including the Board of Trustees, the Governors’ Forum, and the National Assembly Caucus, were very much involved in the formation of APGA.

    “We did not want to take chances. Our genuine members were being deprived the opportunity to contest as Sheriff kept shutting the door against them.

    “So there grew the urgent need for an alternative platform through which our ordinary members could run elections as councillors and local government chairmen. We cannot fold our arms and simply watch on.

    “It was not done by me alone. All the organs of the party were part of the decision to form APDA. At a point, I wrote to all the party’s governors to tell them that there was need for members of the party to know”.

    Some vested interests within the PDP are said to be making attempts to use the role he played in the formation of APDA as anti-party activity, a move he described “cheap blackmail”.

  • PDP can win Lagos – Dokpesi

    PDP can win Lagos – Dokpesi

    Chief Raymond Dokpesi on Friday urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state to unite and forge a common ground in a bid to win the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
    The mogul made this known when his campaign team berth in the commercial centre to canvass the support of delegates from the state ahead of the national convention billed for Port Harcourt, Rivers on August 17.
    “I appeal to you to bury your differences and unite so that PDP can win this state. Since 1999,  we have presented a divided house at every election and it is always our undoing at the polls. Your leaders can attest to the fact that I have made several efforts to unite the various groups in the past. If you support my aspiration and I emerge  as the chairman, we will unite the party and win the state,” he said.
    He told delegates that there is no rancour  between him and Chief Olabode George, who is also aspiring to the same position.
    Lagos state PDP chairman and a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Moshood Salvador, described Dokpesi as a pride of PDP, noting that he is a respected Nigerian who is capable of leading the party.
    “The PDP is proud to have High Chief Raymond Dokpesi in its rank. He is capable to lead the party but let me say we will also accompany our own, Chief Olabode George to Edo state to canvass for votes from delegates,” he said.
    The Edo state PDP organizing secretary, Hon. Henry Duke Tenebe appealed to the Lagos delegates to accord Dokpesi their support during the national convention, stressing that he is a bridge builder and a detribalised leader.
    Other speakers including the former chairman of PDP Kaduna, Chief Abubakar Gaiya Haruna and his Nasarawa counterpart, Chief Yunaha Iliya also called for support for Dokpesi, stressing that he is capable of reinventing and rebuilding the party.
  • Dokpesi to Sherrif: You can’t stop PDP convention

    Dokpesi to Sherrif: You can’t stop PDP convention

    A chieftain of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Raymond Dokpesi Thursday boasted that neither the former National Chairman of the party Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff

    Sheriff, the National Publicity Secretary of the party Olisah Metu, nor any other member of the Sheriff faction can stop the forthcoming Port Harcourt National Convention of the party.

    Sheriff, Wale Oladapo (National Secretary), Dennis Alonge-Niyi (Deputy National Youth Leader), Alhaji Bashir Maidugu (Deputy National Legal Adviser), Mrs. Hanatu Ulam (Deputy National Women Leader), Alhaji Lawa Dutsima Anchi (Deputy National Auditor), Chief Okey
    Nnadozie (Deputy National Organising Secretary) and Chief Olisa Metuh (National Publicity Secretary) had gone to the federal high in Abuja seeking for injunction to stop the National Convention.

    But an Aspirant for the Chairmanship position of the party in the August 17 National Convention, accused Sheriff and members of his faction of manipulating the system with impunity and disrespect for the party rules and regulations.

    He said this Thursday at Ebonyi State PDP Secretariat along Abakaliki/Enugu Expressway, shortly after meeting with the state’s delegates to the proposed National Convention.

    Dokpesi who is on campaign tour of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT also said there is no crisis in the PDP.

    His words: “I don’t think there is any crisis in PDP and I don’t know of any faction in the party. A group of persons think they can manipulate the system.

    “In the past, there was a lot of impunity, a lot of disrespect for party rules and regulations and some people in the party are still living in that era and think they will disturb and distort the
    position of the party but the party is united. 99.9% of the party faithful and party members are solidly behind the organization of the convention.

    ‘’There is no nothing they cannot do to stop the National Convention. There is nothing that those that are trying to stop the convention will not try but by the special grace of God, the wishes of the 99.9% members will definitely prevail and convention will hold, no man can stop the Port Harcourt August 17 National Convention of our great party, PDP.

    ‘’There is no crisis in the PDP. What we need to do is to rebrand the party, re-energize the party, re-build the party, and put the party on the proper pedestal in the proper path to be able to face the challenges of the present and the future.

    ‘’The APC has shown very clearly that they are incapable of handling the problems of Nigeria; they have no experience, they are not prepared for governance and they came to power by accident,’’he said.

    He said he was in the state to identify with delegates to the National Convention.

    “Am an aspirant for the office of the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and am currently on a nationwide tour to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory meeting the National Delegates to the proposed August 17 2016 National Convention of the party and am soliciting for the support  and the delegates to the convention because in them actually the powers of the party reside. So am here soliciting their votes and support for the
    convention’’.

  • Dokpesi accuses APC of marginalising South East

    Dokpesi accuses APC of marginalising South East

    Chief Raymond Dokpesi has accused the government of the All Progressives Congress, APC of marginalizing the peoples of the South East.

    He stated this during his meeting with delegates from Abia state ahead of the party’s National Convention, billed for August 17, 2016, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

    Dokpesi noted that the APC has relegated the Igbos since it assumed office over 15 months, adding that it is against the visions of the founding fathers of Nigeria as well as against the spirit and character of the constitution which advocated equality, federal character in appointments.

    “Prior to the 2015 general election, they called PDP and our presidential candidate many names but today, do they have any clue of governance? The cost of kerosene, diesel, tomatoes, garri, rice and others are at all-time high,” he said amidst applause from the delegates.

    While soliciting for the support of the delegates ahead of the national convention, he said he has the asset, the goodwill and the experience to transform PDP and reposition it for 2019 election so that power will return to Nigerians as envisaged by the founding fathers.

  • Ize-Iyamu names Senator Urhoghide campaign DG

    Ize-Iyamu names Senator Urhoghide campaign DG

    Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has named Senator Matthew Urhoghide representing Edo South as the Director General of his campaign organization.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu who made the announcement Wednesday at the state secretariat of the party named Chief Dan Orbih, chairman of the campaign organization while Chief Tom Ikimi was named chairman of the sub-committee on Strategy.

    A former Chief of Staff to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, was made Chairman of the contact committee, while chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, is to head the publicity committee of the campaign organisation.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu named himself chairman of the canvassers committee, while Senator Yisa Braimah was made chairman of the logistics committee.

    Chairmen of other sub-committees were Lady Philomena Ihenyen (women), Chief Frank Erewele (Groups), Dr Tony Azegbemi (electoral), Jude Imagwe (youths) and Efe Igbinovia (social media).

    Chief Orbih while inaugurating committee said the PDP was set to win the ‪September 10 governorship election.

  • DasukiGate: Justice must prevail in citizen’s interest – ACLN

    DasukiGate: Justice must prevail in citizen’s interest – ACLN

    The Association for Credible Leadership in Nigeria (ACLN) has expressed support for the ongoing anti-graft campaign led by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    The association also salutes the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for unraveling the level of involvement of some notable individuals in the arms deal, which has somewhat incapacitated the Nigerian military from properly prosecuting the Boko Haram terrorism in North-Eastern Nigeria.

    ACLN expressed their support in a statement, commending the EFCC for being able to expose the corruption in Nigeria, especially among senior citizens without fear or favour. “This shows to us that the government is on the right cause against corruption,” the group said.

    The statement reads; “this is also a confirmation that the current administration empowers institutions and not individuals unlike past administration in the country.

    “It is rather sad for the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Dasuki Sambo (rtd.), who should be leading the battle against Boko Haram insurgents to be found leading the team of corrupt politicians who cared less about an average citizen. What sort of advice was he rendering the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    “The implications of what Dasuki did include portraying Nigeria and her citizens in a bad light of terrorism before the international community, killing of several innocent souls, as well as squandering national funds which is largely average citizen’s tax money.

    “No doubt, considering the state of infrastructures in the country, the diverted US$2 billion dollars (N13 billion) would have helped to an extent in advancing the course of building Nigeria.

    “The ACLN condemn the wicked act of Col. Dasuki as well as Chief Raymond Dokpesi of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and others involved in the arms deal who are yet to be exposed.

    “We believe like many other logical persons will agree that such callous act is responsible for the further escalation of the war against terrorism in the Country.”

    According to the association, the Nigerian Army, who have tried in terms of manpower despite losing gallant war men to such a petty battle, would have been in control of the battle and secure Nigeria’s territories if they were better equipped.

    “Similarly, the death of these soldiers who were not given adequate weapon to withstand the firepower of the Sect, the killings and kidnapping of innocent and vulnerable citizens (women and kids), who would not have experience such if adequate funding have been made available to the army, all call for justice,” the group added.

    The ACLN urge the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to allow the rule of law prevail as everyone indicted in the deal must be made to face the full weight of the law and ensure that all looted funds are recovered.

    “At this stage of the revelations of the arms deal, the United Nations’ judicial organ, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and all other relevant international authorities may need to step in, to ensure that judgement is not manipulated in Nigeria.

    “We are saying this because despite the magnitude of the effect of the deal and the caliber of persons involved, the Federal High Court sitting at Maitama, Abuja granted bail to Dasuki, the former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC), ‎Aminu Baba-Kusa‎ and three others, to the tune of N250 million each, while all accused persons have suddenly developed strange health issues for which they are attempting to flee the country.

    “What we are saying is that if justice must be done, such penalty is too meager for an offence that has not only claimed the lives of thousands of Nigerians, Niger, Cameroon and Chad have also suffered casualties.

    “The ACLN consider this as a shame on the past administrations for painting such a wicked picture of leadership for the younger generation of Nigerians. Thus, if judgement is not properly melted out, there are chances of today’s youths treading the same path in few years time.

    “We therefore call on the National Assembly to work with President Buhari in overhauling the Nigerian law, if the fight against corrupt practices must be won in the country,” the association noted.

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  • Unapologetic apology

    A week after he sounded remorseful and apologetic, Chief Raymond Dokpesi performed a somersault that had the features of a stunt. The media owner and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national conference organising committee said in a November 16 statement: “My attention has been drawn to claims in the media that I apologised to the nation on behalf of the PDP over the fielding of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the last general election. Such other media comments and reports actually went further to say that I had apologised for the misdeeds and wrongs done to the nation by the PDP in its 16 years in the saddle since the return of democratic governance in 1999.”

    According to Dokpesi, “these reports were clearly deliberate and mischievous misrepresentations of what I said at the press briefing.” He was quoted as saying that he was proud of Jonathan’s achievements in office as well as the country’s democratic gains under the Jonathan administration.

    Now, shall we play back his November 9 media briefing in Abuja?  He reportedly regretted the party’s rejection of its zoning formula which favoured the North at the time, adding that Jonathan’s resultant emergence as the party’s presidential candidate in 2011 was a mistake and a factor in its loss of the presidency this year.

    A report said: “Dokpesi apologised to all party chieftains who felt offended by the action and extended the apology to the Nigerian voters who were denied the freedom of choice by the PDP.” Dokpesi was quoted as saying: “Make no mistake, the PDP is aware that there were errors made along the way. We admit that at certain times in our past, mistakes have been made. We did not meet the expectations of Nigerians. We tender our apology.”

    If Dokpesi has had a rethink, and he is no longer comfortable with his expressed apology, that may be understandable. But his denial of the meaning of his words is beyond understanding.

    He is perfectly entitled to his private interpretation of his words, but he cannot insist on interpreting his words for the public, particularly when the words can be correctly interpreted by the public.

    Now that Dokpesi has withdrawn his apology, it suggests that he may not have fully understood the implication of his apologetic words when they were uttered. It also suggests that he is ready to live with the implication of his lack of remorse for what is generally considered an era of misrule by his party.

    It may be that Dokpesi is genuinely confused about good governance, and cannot appreciate his party’s failure, which makes his case even more confounding.  Whether he thinks the public deserves an apology or not, the people have demonstrated their sovereignty by rejecting Jonathan and his party, and what they represented. The people do not owe Dokpesi an apology.