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Tag: dokpesi

  • Controversy surrounds alleged arrest of Dokpesi at UK airport

    Controversy surrounds alleged arrest of Dokpesi at UK airport

    Controversy has surrounded the alleged arrest of the founder of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who was delayed by the Met Police at Heathrow Airport on Sunday for a few hours.

    Dokpesi had arrived via Frankfurt from Abuja on a Lufthansa airlines flight but was invited off the plane before other passengers disembarked.

    Confirming the development in a statement on Monday, the DAAR Communications management explained that Dokpesi was in the UK in connection with the invitation extended to the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by the British government to speak on the 2023 presidential elections.

    The statement said he was delayed for some hours before his passport was subsequently stamped and he was cleared by British Immigration officials.

    It stated, ‘’Dokpesi arrived via Frankfurt from Abuja on a Lufthansa airlines flight and was invited off the plane before other passengers disembarked.

    “Dokpesi was delayed at the airport for some hours before his passport was stamped and he was cleared by British Immigration officials for entry into the country.

    “His visit to the United Kingdom is not unconnected to the invitation of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar by the British government to share perspectives on issues around the 2023 presidential elections.

    “The media founder is the Deputy Director-General, Technical and Systems of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council. Chief Dokpesi wishes to thank all for their outpour of love, prayers and support following the news of the incident and to reassure them that he is hale and hearty.”

    Controversy surrounds alleged arrest of Dokpesi at UK airport

    But responding to inquiries about the reasons for Dokpesi’s arrest, the Met Police in an email did not mention the PDP chief’s name.

    The mail read, “On Sunday, 8 January, a 71-year-old man was arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of rape. The arrest relates to an allegation of rape in August 2019. The man has been bailed, pending further enquiries, to a date in early April. Enquiries into the circumstances continue.

    “Please, note that we don’t confirm the identity of any person who has been arrested but not charged.”

    Dokpesi could not be reached for comment on the statement from the police.

    But a source in DAAR Communication stated, “Rape! It’s not possible. I am not in the UK and don’t have information on why Dokpesi was held and released. If it was a rape case, will they release him? It is the most unfair allegation against him. Where did the rape occur? Is it in Nigeria or UK?

    “If Nigeria didn’t fight, is it the UK that will fight him over rape? Those who are brandishing that false allegation should be able to say where the alleged rape took place. Those brandishing that nonsense are not fair to that man. Rape! At what age? Something that he didn’t do at a younger age, is it at over 70 years that he would do that?”

  • BREAKING: Raymond Dokpesi released after hours of questioning by London Police

    BREAKING: Raymond Dokpesi released after hours of questioning by London Police

    The founder of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi has been released after being detained for questioning at the London Heathrow airport on Sunday.

    Dokpesi arrived via Frankfurt from Abuja on a Lufthansa airlines flight and was invited off the plane, before other passengers were disembarked.

    According to a statement released by DAAR Communications and sighted by TheNewsGuru, says Dokpesi was delayed at the airport for some hours before his passport was stamped and he was cleared by British Immigration officials for entry into the country.

    The statement states: “His visit to the United Kingdom is not unconnected to the invitation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar by the British government to share perspectives on issues around the 2023 presidential elections.

    “The media founder is the Deputy Director-General, Technical & Systems of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council. Chief Dokpesi wishes to thank all for their outpour of love, prayers and support following the news of the incident and to reassure that he is hale and hearty”.

  • How Raymond Dokpesi was arrested in London

    How Raymond Dokpesi was arrested in London

    The founder of DAAR Communications Limited Raymond Dokpesi has been arrested in London, the United Kingdom.

    According to multiple reports on Sunday, Dokpesi was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London.

    It was not clear yet why he was arrested.

    The Whistler, an online news medium, quoted a source who was on the flight to have confirmed his arrest.

    The source was specifically quoted to have said: “We were on a flight from Frankfurt to London and as we were about to arrive in London, we were informed that we should all stay on our seat when the aircraft lands and that the Police wanted to do something. We were informed that there would be a police operation.

    “So when we landed, the police came in and ask who is Raymond Dokpesi and they now took him away. He was wearing agbada. He was arrested in London.”

    Meanwhile, unfolding reports indicated that
    Chief Raymond Dokpesi, would make an initial court appearance on Monday morning in London.

    More details about his arrest said that he was picked up on Sunday morning on flight LH 916 from Frankfurt, Germany to London, Heathrow airport.

    He was arrested at the Terminal 2 immediately the flight arrived in London.

    His arrest, as further stated, was preceded by an announcement that all passengers should remain on their seats.

    Minutes later, UK border agents and officers reportedly stormed the aircraft and escorted Dokpesi out of the plane.

    A report by PSN, another online news medium, said Dokpesi was booked into a HMP correctional center in the London Borough, on Sunday afternoon.

    The report said that when he appeared in court, the first hearing would involve a judge deciding whether Dokpesi had adequate legal representation. Scheduling additional court dates, including an arraignment, would be considered.

    An initial appearance could pave the way for authorities to release the probable cause affidavit, the document authorities used to justify Dokpesi’s arrest and obtained a warrant, which has so far been sealed.

  • 2023: Atiku was never part of consensus arrangement – Dokpesi

    2023: Atiku was never part of consensus arrangement – Dokpesi

    The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar campaign organization has said that at no time was their principal part of the northern consensus arrangements and can never be part of it.

    Recall, the northern consensus candidate purveyors had met in Minna where Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed were endorsed by northern elders as their consensus candidates a decision that Sokoto Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has equally rubbished.

    This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Atiku Abubakar campaign organization chairman High Chief Raymond Dokpesi stating that:

    “It must be stated categorically and equivocally that:
    Waziri Atiku Abubakar MA, GCON Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999-2007 was NEVER a part of this purported consensus arrangement, neither did he at any time nor in any place, subject himself to any purported consensus process. Therefore, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is NOT BOUND by any of the recommendations and conclusions of the purported report.

    “As an avowed nationalist, Waziri Atiku Abubakar strongly believes that Nigeria has never been as divided as it is today. He strongly believes that any “consensus” arrangement premised on any regional, zonal, ethno-religious, and/or sectional gang-up will further deepen and widen this divide, and worsen the wounds that urgently need to be healed. Consequently, Vice President Atiku Abubakar is anxious to implement plans, policies and programmes that will rescue and rebuild Nigeria. This is his unwavering and resolute pledge and commitment.

    “Finally, as our great party, the PDP, prepares for the presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday/ Sunday May 28 and 29, 2022, we urge all our numerous supporters to continue with consultations and town hall meetings with delegates across the country. We urge them neither to be deterred nor distracted in our collective mission to rescue our nation.

    Read full statement below:
    VICE PRESIDENT ATIKU ABUBAKAR WAS NEVER A PARTY TO NORTHERN CONSENSUS ARRANGEMENT- SAYS TEECOM…URGES SUPPORTERS TO REMAIN FOCUSED AND UNITED

    The Technical Committee for the Actualization of Atiku Abubakar’s Presidency in 2023, has been inundated with several calls and text messages from concerned party members, supporters and other critical stakeholders on the purported report of Consensus efforts amongst four Aspirants of Northern extraction within the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Prof Ango Abdullahi CON, Magajin Rafin Zazzau released this purported report at a press conference in Minna on Friday, April 22, 2022. According to the purported report, the following aspirants presented themselves for the said exercise:
    1. Governor Aminu Tambuwwal
    2. Governor Bala Mohammed
    3. Dr Bukola Saraki
    4. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen

    It must be stated categorically and equivocally that:
    Waziri Atiku Abubakar MA, GCON Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999-2007 was NEVER a part of this purported consensus arrangement, neither did he at any time nor in any place, subject himself to any purported consensus process. Therefore, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is NOT BOUND by any of the recommendations and conclusions of the purported report.

    As an avowed nationalist, Waziri Atiku Abubakar strongly believes that Nigeria has never been as divided as it is today. He strongly believes that any “consensus” arrangement premised on any regional, zonal, ethno-religious, and/or sectional gang-up will further deepen and widen this divide, and worsen the wounds that urgently need to be healed. Consequently, Vice President Atiku Abubakar is anxious to implement plans, policies and programmes that will rescue and rebuild Nigeria. This is his unwavering and resolute pledge and commitment.

    Finally, as our great party, the PDP, prepares for the presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday/ Sunday May 28 and 29, 2022, we urge all our numerous supporters to continue with consultations and town hall meetings with delegates across the country. We urge them neither to be deterred nor distracted in our collective mission to rescue our nation.

  • 2023: Dokpesi solicits S’East support for Atiku’s presidential ambition

    2023: Dokpesi solicits S’East support for Atiku’s presidential ambition

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has appealed to the South-East zone to support Alhaji Abubakar Atiku’s presidential ambition in 2023.

    Dokpesi, a member of PDP Board of Trustees and media mogul, made the appeal on Monday in Umuahia, while addressing the leadership of Abia PDP on the need for the zone to rally round Atiku.

    Atiku was the party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2019 general elections but lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Dokpesi gave assurance that Atiku, if elected president, would be in office for only one term of four years and thereafter pave the way for an Igboman to succeed him.

    He said that he believed the southeast was competent and qualified to rule the country and denied ever having a contrary opinion as erroneously reported in the media some years ago.

    He said that the agitation for a president of Igbo extraction was appropriate, saying that the zone had suffered marginalisation and needed to be given the opportunity.

    He said that an Atiku presidency would work to ensure the realisation of the agitation, assuring the people that he (Dokpesi) would stake his life for the project.

    He said that it was expedient for PDP’s presidential flag bearer to come from the north in order for the zone to complete its remaining one-term, truncated by the death of President Musa Yar’Adua.

    He argued that the north had yet to complete its eight-year tenure in line with PDP zoning arrangement, hence the need for Atiku to be given the presidential ticket.

    Dokpesi said that for the avoidance of doubt and fear of possible betrayal, the agreement for Atiku to run one term and handover to the southeast would be documented “in black-and-white”.

    He called for greater unity among the members to enable the party to win the Presidency in 2023.

    He said that the party owed Nigerians the obligation to continue to show exemplary leadership at the centre.

    “Nigeria is at the verge of total collapse and it is a duty we owe to salvage the country from the current economic difficulties and protracted security challenges,” Dokpesi said.

    He said that Atiku had the capacity and competence to tackle the nation’s multi-dimensional challenges.

    In a response, the Abia PDP Chairman, Chief Allwell Asiforo, said the chapter would take the message home and make its position known at the appropriate time.

    Asiforo described Atiku as a great man, who had made huge contribution toward good governance and the growth of democracy in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atiku was the Vice President under the PDP administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

  • Truth confronts Technology at Dokpesi Lecture, By Okoh Aihe

    Truth confronts Technology at Dokpesi Lecture, By Okoh Aihe

    By Okoh Aihe

    “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in closing, I will be right in stating that nearly everyone in this hall will agree that we have serious technology infrastructure deficit in Nigeria which is negatively affecting our pace of development as a nation. What may not be obvious to everyone is how bad the situation is. The impact of infrastructure inefficiencies in Nigeria has been severe and has lasted for several decades and is reflected in impaired domestic growth, poor international competitiveness, and slowed rate of development.”

     

    That was Engr Ernest Ndukwe, former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and now Chairman of MTN Nigeria, speaking at one of the activities marking Dr Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi’s birthday which began in Abuja last week. Delivering a paper titled, Inadequate Technology Infrastructure as the Bane of Nigeria’s Development, at the occasion where Dokpesi’s biography, The Handkerchief, was also presented to the public, Ndukwe took a caustic look at the nation’s approach to technology adoption, development and acceptance and came to the verdict that the nation has not done well at all, thus challenging the authorities and the citizenry, to change their approach if the nation must partake in international competitiveness and national growth.

     

    At well over 70, Ndukwe speaks with no water in his mouth. He is widely reputed as the man who green-lighted the telecommunications sector in Nigeria by dressing it up for local and international competition. He ignited the strange fire that exploded the growth in the sector, which the nation still holds on to jealously today. He would acknowledge the opportunity given to him to serve the nation but no platitudes for the noticeable inefficiencies that hold the people down.

     

    Although those in attendance may have expected him to speak on telecommunications, which is his forte, Ndukwe demonstrated that every spectrum of life rests on technology which makes it more imperative for the nation to pay more attention to its development. He focussed on key subheads which include: Technology in Education, Technology in Transportation, Technology in Energy/Power, Technology in Water, and Communications and Information Technology.

    Ndukwe observed that the world is currently experiencing a period of intense innovation which is driven by the digitisation of economies. Clearly, one of the lessons of history is that it is those nations that lead the development of new technology, or new thinking, that emerge as leaders in the world. They are nations that can harness developments in science and technology, and apply them to many of the social, economic and environmental challenges that face mankind, he said.

     

    The stats he presented for consideration didn’t portray Nigeria as having the enthusiasm to share from the benefits of modern technology. “The World Economic Forum report, 2011- 2012, in terms of the quality of overall infrastructure, ranked Nigeria at 125 out of 142 countries, with a value of 3.0 (1.3 below the mean value). In comparison, Cameroon was ranked at 122 and Ghana at 90. Regarding road quality, Nigeria was ranked at 120, with port infrastructure at 117, railroad quality at 104 and air transport quality at 104. Nigeria was also ranked at 139 out of 142 countries in terms of the quality of electricity supply, with a value of 1.5 (3.3 below the mean value). These rankings have remained largely unchanged as of 2020, Ndukwe pointed out.

     

    The graphic presentation was even more depressing, and the audience must have felt a sense of shame and letdown by those entrusted with the responsibilities to make things happen. From the foregoing there is something wrong, very wrong and we must admit before contemplating solutions.

     

    Ndukwe observed that the country has the human capital to make things happen except that there is an inherent flaw which seems to be eating the nation from inside: self-imposed problems, totally corrosive and self destruct.

     

    “One that immediately comes to mind,” according to Ndukwe, “is corruption. The second is the incompetence of the nation’s managers in critical leadership positions. I am not referring here to the elected officials because, it is only the voters that have the right to choose their leaders. I speak of those appointed to head various critical institutions and agencies. No one can give what he/she does not have. In Nigeria we appoint medical doctors/CMDs by quota, Vice Chancellors by state of origin, we select air force pilots by quota, even appoint science and mathematics teachers by quota.”

     

    Seated in the audience and soaking in every information was former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whose singular responsibility at the occasion was to present Dokpesi’s biography to the public. The perennial would-be king would never miss such a tempting opportunity to declare that we need the right man to fix the nation and reform all the processes that would make her a modern state. But he remains a standing witness to the change.

     

    The panel of discussants was led by Prof. Pat Utomi, founder, Centre for Value and Leadership, whose big dream for the Lagos Business was to produce the right human capital for a country in need of help; others being Dr Wunmi Hasan, CEO, Hightech for Nig Women & Youth; Rock Adote, Director, Information Technology, Uhuru Group; and Obi Brown, COO, StudyLab360.

     

    All the speakers agree that Nigeria has a surfeit of capacity in every human endeavour, especially in the field of technology, but without appropriate development and utilisation, the country would not be able to compete internationally. And she is not competing!

     

    Utomi who confessed to have been close to those at the seat of power over the years, called out Atiku to witness his declarations.

     

    “Government policies have not enabled technology to advance as it should in our country. We need policy makers who are savvy enough to understand where things are going,” he said.

     

    And because they failed to understand or even strive to, this happened: “It is a tragedy and a shame to our country that the power situation is where it is today. Most of the challenges in the sector were caused by errors in choices made by leaders,” Utomi recalled with pain.

     

    Here is my little conclusion drawn from that lecture. Nigeria’s placement in the index of growth and development is very shameful and abysmal, so overwhelmingly deplorable that the people don’t even know how deep we are in the mire.

     

    My little advice is that we forget this irritating baloney of the biggest economy in Africa and the biggest black nation in the world, rebuke the lying devil who seems to beguile us with the lying spirit of a non-existent achievement, and confront the ugly reality genuinely so that we can, at least, dress up the country for growth in readiness for a generation that may not be as lousy as their forebears.

     

  • 2023 and Dokpesi’s shoot-down of Igbo aspiration, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    2023 and Dokpesi’s shoot-down of Igbo aspiration, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    By Ehichioya Ezomon
    Today’s piece was about 95 per cent drafted when I chanced on the 70th birthday outings for High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi on the African Independent Television (AIT) on October 21, 2021.
    So, CONGRATULATIONS to the “Media mogul” for attaining the Platinum milestone, capped with pomp and ceremony that’s graced by many “Who is Who” in Nigeria from all walks of life.
    The array of dignitaries, exchange of pleasantries and events that marked the moment show that Dr Dokpesi, Ph.D., isn’t just a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but a man that straddles Nigeria’s socio-political, economic and cultural spheres.
    Also, it’s not for nothing that he’s epithets “Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc,” a conglomerate that pioneered private radio, television and satellite broadcasting in Nigeria and beyond.
    The “Emeritus” label depicts both Dokpesi’s status of “firsts” in private broadcasting, and the immense power packed in a media personality to influence happenings in the polity.
    Hence in liberalising broadcasting, the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime, realising the power of the media, promulgated Decree 38 of 1992, creating the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to monitor and regulate broadcasting on a national basis, even as the junta strove to insulate licensees from politics, for a 10-year moratorium that Dokpesi and his media empire observed.
    But in the lead-up to the 2015 general election, and in the 2019 cycle, the DAAR flagships, AIT and Raypower 100.5 FM, launched in 1994, yielded their platforms to the murky waters of politics.
    Against this background, Dokpesi’s comments on the “no show” for the South-East in the 2023 presidency have, like a hot knife carving through butter, inflicted the deepest cut yet on the Igbo aspiration.
    Let’s get a handle on Dokpesi’s quotable quotes, to comprehend the import of his commentary on the Igbo and the jostle by Nigeria’s geopolitical blocs for the 2023 presidency. His words:
    “I have publicly come out to support and call on a Southeastern presidential candidate in the recent past, but the emergence of IPOB and its influence across the South-East has complicated and undermined the agitation for patriotic Nigerians of Igbo extraction to lead this nation as far as the 2023 election is concerned.
    “If nobody has told Ohanaeze Ndigbo before, the concern today from some other regions is that if Nnamdi Kanu plays the role of Aguiyi Ironsi in leading a militant revolt against constitutional government in the South-East under Igbo presidency, the president will be pressured by his base to facilitate the UN processes for the South-East to call for independence from Nigeria.
    “Thus an Igbo President may be compromised in protecting the political and geographic boundaries of Nigeria whilst Nigeria remains under the threat of IPOB’s secessionist activities.
    “… where prominent leaders express such concerns based on the similarities of our history and contemporary circumstances, it indicates to me that the South-East is not trusted with the Presidency in 2023.
    “It indicates to me that the leaders of the South-East have not done enough before now in dealing with and addressing the challenge that IPOB poses to their aspirations in leading Nigeria.
    “Why and what to do to change this narrative is a question for leaders and politicians from the South-East to determine but you can see and understand why we in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must take a realistic, pragmatic and strategic approach towards supporting the North-East for the presidency in 2023.
    “In Atiku Abubakar, the South-East not only has a friend and a detribalised Nigerian who understands the pains, frustrations as genuine aspirations of the people of the South-East but also is a believer in the restructuring of Nigeria…
    “By supporting Atiku Abubakar from the North-East to victory in 2023, the rotation of power across Nigeria will have come full cycle and I believe that the agitation for a South-East presidency will be better accepted and appreciated by the incumbency and other regions in subsequent elections after 2023.
    “So taken in totality, I do not intend to offend the South-East or any of its eminent sons who are more than qualified to lead this nation. The South-South and South-East regions have… produced PDP presidents in the fourth republic, so we have had 14 years in the presidency, while the North has only had 2-years under PDP.
    “The nomination of President Goodluck Jonathan at the 2014 PDP Presidential Convention weakened our support in the North and ultimately led to the APC and President Buhari taking over government in 2015. We need to retrace our steps as a party.
    “… It is unfair but neither the South-South nor the South-East nor the North-East has the votes combined to determine the presidency on their own. We have to negotiate with other regions…
    “We need to consolidate our base in the South-South and South-East and… reach out across other regions, presenting a detribalised Nigerian… accepted and trusted to build the best ‘all-star’… team… without carrying the baggage of IPOB undermining their credibility.”
    Dokpesi has a right to express his opinion without linking the Igbo presidential hope to the secession bid of outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who’s in custody over charges of treasonable felony and terrorism.
    With that complete takedown, Dokpesi has passed a “collective guilt” on the South-East people, most of whom haven’t shown, by words or actions, that they support IPOB’s activities.
    If anything, resistance by the Igbo to the actualisation of Biafra is only subsumed by fear of physical intimidation by IPOB’s hardcore vanguards, as recent events have shown in the South-East.
    To soil Igbo’s chances in 2023, Dokpesi alleges that Nigeria’s first military Head of State, General JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi, led a “militant revolt against constitutional government,” and predicts a similar revolt by Kanu “in the South-East under Igbo presidency.”
    Dokpesi mistook Aguiyi-Ironsi for Lt. Colonel Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who declared a State of Biafra on May 30, 1967, after Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death in a counter-coup on July 29, 1966, in which Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon emerged as Head of State on August 1, 1966.
    So, Dokpesi’s comments are an exhibition of scaremongering, to portray the Igbo as having links with IPOB’s campaigns, which should disqualify the entire race from Nigeria’s presidency.
    That if Igbo assume the position in 2023, the IPOB may pressurise the President of Igbo extraction to deploy the instruments of the office to facilitate the emergence of a Republic of Biafra.
    Surely, Dokpesi’s scenario is painted for a section of the country, whose leaders are undisguisedly averse to power going to the South-East, but haven’t put the Dokpesi fear of the devil into it.
    As he speaks on the pedestal of the PDP, Dokpesi has established several markers of “don’ts” that call for consideration of the party leadership, as regards the 2023 presidential race. They include:
    * Don’t give the slot to South-East because of IPOB. * Don’t give it to South-South or South-West that have done 14 of 16 years of PDP’s rule in 21 years since 1999. * Don’t give it to North-West that’s done two years of power. Don’t consider Middle Belt, which hasn’t tasted power. * Award it to North-East, which also hasn’t cliched power.
    And in awarding the PDP ticket to North-East, Dokpesi didn’t hide his preferential candidate in former Vice President and candidate of the party in the 2019 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON).
    If Atiku is the commodity Dokpesi wants to market to the PDP for 2023, why not accomplish the task seamlessly without dragging the Igbo in the mud, and de-marketing their presidential hope?
    In closing, Dokpesi pleads: “Don’t shoot me, I’m just a messenger.” Indeed, a messenger of bad tidings that unconscionably shoots down the aspiration of the Igbo of South-East to rule Nigeria from 2023!
    Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
  • 2023 Presidency: Why Igbos may not stand a chance – Dokpesi

    2023 Presidency: Why Igbos may not stand a chance – Dokpesi

    Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi says the separatist activities of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would jeopardise the chances of the South-East region to produce the president of Nigeria in 2023.

    In a statement on Monday, Dokpesi stressed that he is a firm believer in a united, indivisible Nigeria.

    He stated that the emergence of IPOB and its influence across the South-East “has complicated and undermined the agitation for patriotic Nigerians of Igbo extraction to lead this nation as far as the 2023 election is concerned.”

    The PDP chieftain added that if an Igbo President is voted in, Kanu would use militant tactics to blackmail and force the President to declare the South-East independent of Nigeria.

    He said, “On the surrender of Biafra to Nigeria, Yakubu Gowon, declared ‘no Victor, no vanquished’ but clearly, since, the regions that have determined leadership have used this against the South-East and denied Igbos the opportunity to lead. Should that be used against the leaders and sons of the South-East today? Of course not!

    “I have publicly come out to support and call on a Southeastern presidential candidate in the recent past, but the emergence of IPOB and its influence across the South-East has complicated and undermined the agitation for patriotic Nigerians of Igbo extraction to lead this nation as far as the 2023 election is concerned.

    “If nobody has told Ohanaeze Ndigbo before, the concern today from some other regions is that if Nnamdi Kanu plays the role of Aguiyi Ironsi in leading a militant revolt against constitutional government in the South-East under Igbo presidency, the president will be pressured by his base to facilitate the UN processes for the South-East to call for independence from Nigeria. Thus an Igbo President may be compromised in protecting the political and geographic boundaries of Nigeria whilst Nigeria remains under the threat of IPOB’s secessionist activities.

    “Don’t shoot me, I’m just a messenger. It is unfair but neither the South-South nor the South-East nor the North-East has the votes combined to determine the presidency on their own. We have to negotiate with other regions and where prominent leaders express such concerns based on the similarities of our history and contemporary circumstances, it indicates to me that the South-East is not trusted with the Presidency in 2023. It indicates to me that the leaders of the South-East have not done enough before now in dealing with and addressing the challenge that IPOB poses to their aspirations in leading Nigeria. Why and what to do to change this narrative is a question for leaders and politicians from the South-East to determine but you can see and understand why we in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must take a realistic, pragmatic and strategic approach towards supporting the North-East zone for the presidency in 2023.

    “In Atiku Abubakar, the South-East not only has a friend and a detribalised Nigerian who understands the pains, frustrations as genuine aspirations of the people of the South-East but also is a believer in the restructuring of Nigeria, which both in the short term and in the long term, is necessary and critical to the growth and development of Nigeria in general and the minority regions in particular.

    “By supporting Atiku Abubakar from the North-East to victory in 2023, the rotation of power across Nigeria will have come full cycle and I believe that the agitation for a South-East presidency will be better accepted and appreciated by the incumbency and other regions in subsequent elections after 2023.

    “So taken in totality I do not intend to offend the South-East or any of its eminent sons who are more than qualified to lead this nation. The South-South and South-East regions have already produced PDP presidents in the fourth republic, so we have had 14 years in the presidency, while the North has only had 2-years under PDP.

    “The nomination of President Goodluck Jonathan at the 2014 PDP Presidential Convention weakened our support in the North and ultimately led to the APC and President Buhari taking over government in 2015. We need to retrace our steps as a party. We need to consolidate our base in the South-South and South-East and we need to reach out across other regions of this country presenting a detribalised Nigerian that will be accepted and trusted to build the best ‘all-star’ Nigerian team to get us out of our present quagmire without carrying the baggage of IPOB undermining their credibility.”

  • Polygamy my greatest error-Raymond Dokpesi

    Polygamy my greatest error-Raymond Dokpesi

    Chief Raymond Dokpesi is a man of many parts. The revered elder statesman who survived poisoning as a little child with doctors in Poland predicting that he would not last more than 35 years, is now 70. Dokpesi who is the chairman of Daar Communication is an entrepreneur, media mogul, politician and philanthropist.

    In an interview with journalists, Dokpesi noted that polygamy would be regarded as his greatest error.

    “I’m a Catholic and I will tell you that one of the greatest errors of my life is polygamy. It was not something that I desired. It was a situation that developed in which I had no alternative. A lot of people feel it was wealth that distorted my behaviour but the truth of the matter is that there were internal family challenges that lead to it. I was married to a Polish woman and I wanted to remain with the Polish woman and I still desired it in my old age. She left Nigeria on reasons that she was the only child of her parents and needed to be with her parents. I went to Poland 16 times to beg her to return. My mother was also anxious that I have children that I don’t need to board an aeroplane to go and see. Those were the internal factors that later on affected my life”.

    Sharing his thoughts on Nigeria being divided along ethnic lines, he noted that bad leadership is responsible for it.

    “Bad leadership. When these issues come on, people run away from the reality. It is not the Fulani man that is bad. Shehu Shagari was a Fulani man who served Nigeria very meritoriously and conscientiously. We have had military heads of state that are northerners but they were visionary and ready to accommodate others. They pulled together the best brains that were available and brought about development. I remember my uncle, Chief John Amodu who was a mayor in Port Harcourt but from Agenebode. In Lagos and Enugu, northerners contested and won elections. People were living freely in Kano. Growing up, the whole idea was that it is going to be a country flowing with milk and honey but all of a sudden things changed. When you have religious extremists, people that exploit the very thin lines of unity, then you will find yourself here.

    I believe that there are still Nigerians who believe in one united Nigeria, those Nigerians must come out. Most of these younger generation, people that are clamouring for the disintegration of this country, I sympathise with them but I feel very strongly that they are in that position because of the injustices that are going on in the country.

     

  • Dokpesi Acquittal: Atiku sends message to new EFCC chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa

    Dokpesi Acquittal: Atiku sends message to new EFCC chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa

    Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to resist what he described as political manipulation.

    Atiku’s call is in response to the acquittal of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raymond Dokpesi, by the Federal Court of Appeal in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Dokpesi was prosecuted by the EFCC in connection with the alleged ₦ 2.1 billion money laundering charges brought against him over the arms contracts under former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

    The court, however, quashed the charges on Thursday in a unanimous judgment of a three-man panel of judges led by Justice Williams-Daudu.

    But Atiku in a statement he personally signed on Friday expressed his joy and solidarity over the incident, saying he was elated with the outcome of the trial.

    The ex-Vice President said the court judgement “revealed the truth about the lopsided nature of the anti-corruption policy of the Buhari administration.”

    According to him, “the entire anti-corruption trials appear to be focused on opposition politicians, thereby casting doubts on the credibility of the anti-graft agency.”

    He recalled that during the 2019 presidential election, the EFCC focused its time and resources on harassing and arraigning aides of opposition politicians, lamenting that it was indifferent to how members of the ruling party were financing their campaigns.

    The former PDP presidential candidate noted that even members of the international community are now coming to terms with the reality that the anti-corruption crusade is not impartial, and that the government is now using the anti-corruption policy to contrive charges against those they want to use to advance certain political objectives.

    While noting that he was impressed with the appointment of Abdul Rasheed Bawa as EFCC chairman, Atiku asked him to learn from the mistakes of his predecessors.

    “As a young man of great intellect and confidence, I’m confident that you are up to the task. You must be ready to restore the glory of the EFCC by changing its public perception as a political tool of the government in power,” he stated.

    “Let your conscience and history judge you. But you can only do so if you resist external manipulation. May Allah guide you aright.”