… says ‘I don’t want to be National Chairman’
BY AUGUSTINE AVWODE
Media mogul and top chieftain of the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Raymond Dokpesi, has said he has no ambition to be the National Chairman of the party.
Last week, major stakeholders of the party struck a compromise, which gave the embattled chairman, Uche Secondus, a life line. They agreed that Secondus should not step down immediately as demanded by a very vocal section of the party, made up of some members of the National Executive Committee, National Working Committee, House of Representatives Caucus, youths and governors, but should rather call a convention of the party in October instead of December.
A new chairman would be elected for the party at the October national elective convention.
With the October date agreed, the party also agreed to set up a zoning committee, which will be inaugurated on Thursday this week.
Dokpesi however told The Point that he was not interested in becoming the national chairman of the party.
“I do not have such aspirations. I stated very clearly why I contested for the office of Chairman in 2016/2017. I was described as uncontrollable, strong-willed, independent minded, headmaster and all sorts of names. No, I am not interested in the leadership of the party,” he said.
Recall that Dokpesi had declared last week that only a northern candidate could win the 2023 Presidential election for the PDP. That being the case, it presupposes that the party chairman should come from the southern part of the country. Already, some names are being touted as possible replacement for Secondus.
When pressed for which of the southern zones should produce the chairmanship, Dokpesi picked the SouthWest.
“I personally think that the South-West should lead the party. I think that either Chief Bode George or Prince Oyinlola Olagunsoye should lead the party to victory,” he said.
Dokpesi, however, insisted that all zones in the country should be equitably represented. “I would rather not speak for now on PDP. Please I insist that all the zones must be equitably represented,” he noted.
But when pressed further to zero in on one person he thinks could really turn the party around and place it on a winning trajectory, Dokpesi picked the former Osun State Governor, Oyinlola.
“Well, if you insist. I think H.E. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and I base that on age, agility and ability to mix with all ages,” Dokpesi stated.
