…Says he’s out to rebuild, revamp, unite party
By Wole Balogun, Ado-Ekiti
CONTRARY to speculations that media mogul and business umpire, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, might have stepped down for elderly Chief Bode George in the race for the national chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the ex-chairman of Daar Communications has denied surrendering his ambition of becoming the national leader of the party to the latter.
Dopkesi, who took his campaign train to the 17th state of the federation in Ekiti during the weekend, said his aspiration to lead the PDP and revamp the party is much stronger for him to consider stepping down for George. He boasted that he is more vibrant, energetic and strong enough to rebuild, re-structure and re-unite the party.
“I have been a member of this party since 1998 and I have never come out to contest for any position in the party or for any elective post. After we lost in the last general elections, I thought I was going to retire for some less challenging tasks. But then, the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) would not allow our party rest. They would not allow our governors deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
They have continuously challenged and ridiculed us. They want to muscle us into extinction. And I thank you, Ekiti people, greatly, for standing solidly behind your governor to battle the opposition relentlessly, and that is why I have come out to offer myself for service, to defend our democracy and to offer sound service to our people and our party.
“Some people alleged that I have surrendered for our elder in the party, Chief Bode George. Let me make it categorically clear that I was born and bred in Ibadan and I do understand and appreciate the Yoruba traditions so much and I have respect for elders. But there was no time that Chief Bode George and I met and discussed this issue; and I did not, in any way, step down for him because, this time, we need fresh and younger blood that would have the physical and mental alertness for the job. I have been touring 17 states of the federation in just about a week and I’m still strong,” Dokpesi said.
“I’m a bridge between the South-South and the South- West such that I fully understand the issues in these areas and know how to manage them better. I only need your cooperation and support so that I”ll be able to protect and project the interest of the South-West in our great party. I don’t think PDP is in any trouble. There are certain elements trying to hold the party to ransom. By the special grace of God, with our perseverance and cooperation, we shall overcome in a very short time. We have up to August 17, I am bringing freshness, experience and all the major assets that are needed in rebranding, restructuring and rebuilding the party. I will definitely work as a bridge builder. I will bring together the North and bring back the East. I will bring together the South-South and the South-West under one umbrella as a strong, united party. And once again, we will be able to move ahead. We need new faces, empowerment and restructuring, and that would make it work,” he said.
Governor Ayo Fayose, who joined the PDP state chairman, Mr. Gboyega Oguntuase to receive Dokpesi, lamented the crisis rocking the party, especially the Ali Modu Sherif’s factor, which he took full responsibility for, saying “we are deeply concerned about the crisis rocking our party presently; more so, with a lot of people paying lip service to the reconciliation. But, I want to assure you that tough times don’t last, tough people do. When one considers your antecedents as an enterprenuer, a builder of industry and a pioneer of a highly successful private media organization in the country, among other factors, there is no doubt that you are physically, mentally and other wise capable of leading our great party.