From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
NATIONAL chairmanship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi yesterday in Asaba, Delta State explained why the party rejected former Governor of Bornu State, Ali Modu Sheriff as chairman.
Dokpesi who took his campaign to Delta State delegates to the forthcoming National Convention of the party in Port Harcourt said Sheriff had a little baggage associated with the dreaded insurgent group, Boko Haram.
“Sheriff has a little bit of baggage because from where he came from, he is not supported. 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,” he said.
Dokpesi told the prospective delegates that if given the opportunity to be the national chairman of the PDP, the glory of the South-South would be restored and errors of the past would be corrected.
He praised the leadership of the PDP in Delta State for retaining power at the state level, saying that it was indication that the state was a stronghold of the party 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 restored to put the party back to winning ways.
Dokpesi told journalists after meeting with the State Working Committee of the party that he would soon unveil 10-point agenda for the revival of the party in Nigeria and make a formidable force once again.
Chairman of the party in Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Esiso assured the chairmanship hopeful of the support of the stakeholders of the party in the state.
Esiso said if the party was to reclaim the presidency in 2019, it was very important to have a formidable chairman, adding that Dokpesi has the capacity and what it takes to achieve the dram of the party.