Dokpesi: I Have What It Takes to Rebuild PDP

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The founder and former Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has said he has what it takes to turn around the fortunes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if allowed to lead the party as the national chairman.
Dokpesi said he had been around awhile to know the ingredients needed to rebuild the party and bring it back to winning ways.

He stated this while flagging off his nationwide campaign tour for the coveted seat from his home town and ward in Agenegbode, Edo State.

Dokpesi’s first port of call was the palace of Okumagbe, Weppa Wanno, Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor (Omoaze 1).
He was accompanied by close friends, colleagues and political associates from different parts of the country, prominent among them was Senator Kasim Oyofo.

Dokpesi informed the royal father about his intention to take over the leadership of PDP, asking for his blessings as he begins the race for the top job.

“We are here for your blessings.
“I am confident that by your pronouncement and by the grace of God, the position of PDP chairman is guaranteed.”
Speaking in Asaba, the Delta State capital, monday, Dokpesi threw more light on why the party leaders rejected erstwhile governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, as national chairman.

He said Sheriff had “a bit of baggage” associated with the insurgent group, Boko Haram aside allegedly having low patronage in his geo-political zone.

Dokpesi, who was in the state to woo state delegates to the forthcoming PDP National Convention scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said Sheriff would dim PDP’s hopes of reclaiming the presidency by his unfavorable credentials.

The PDP chairmanship hopeful said: “Sheriff has a little bit of baggage because where he comes from, he is not supported,” adding, “Boko Haram is a major reason our son, Goodluck Jonathan, lost the last presidential election. So, there was no need for us to bring somebody associated with Boko Haram to represent us if we wish to reclaim the presidency in 2019.”

However, Dokpesi assured the prospective delegates to the Port Harcourt convention of restoring “the glory of the South-south” if given the opportunity to be the national chairman of the party as errors of the past would be remedied.

Nonetheless, he commended the leadership of the PDP in Delta State for working hard to keep the party together and retaining power at the state level, saying it testified to the fact that the state remained a stronghold of the PDP in Nigeria.

According to him, the party lost majority of elective positions in the last general election because the values and ideals of the founding fathers of the PDP had been undermined, adding that if given the opportunity, he would make sure that the ideals which include internal democracy would be restored and put the party back to winning ways.
He said after meeting with the state PDP working committee that he had fashioned out a 10-point agenda for the revival of the party in the country towards reclaiming its predominant position.

Speaking, Delta State PDP Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Esiso, said if the party was to reclaim the presidency in 2019, it was very important to have a formidable chairman.

Esiso described Dokpesi as having “the capacity and what it takes to achieve the dream of the party,” assuring the chairmanship aspirant of the support of the stakeholders of the party in the state.