By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
A Chieftain and National Chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), High Chief Raymond Dokpesi on Friday said the party needs “a man of character” as its leader for now.
High Chief Dokpesi who stated this in Ibadan during his visit to the Oyo State PDP at Molete, Ibadan, declared that for the party to come back to relevance, the time has come for the party to go for the best in its August National Convention.
According to High Chief Dokpesi, if given the chance to become the PDP next National Chairman, he is ready to unite all the warring factions in the party, restructure and rebuild PDP.
“At this point, we need a man of character. Let us review and re-plan what PDP should be. If elected, we’ll reform the party, reconcile and create an atmosphere for new members to come in. No sacrifice is too much, I promise to deliver on my promise,” he said.
The PDP National Chairmanship aspirant pointed out that he is capable of reuniting, restructuring, rebuilding and “have the total know how to re-launch this party to the old way of its founding fathers”.
“I am simply a builder. I started with African Ocean lines when nobody believed it was possible. I called the late MKO, Yar’Adua, Bamanga Tukur and the four of us started the business till the point I was running over 116 ships across the shores of Africa.
“I am a member of this party since 1988. I want to assure you that I have the capacity to build this party again. I have paid my dues, suffered enough, though I have not contested for any position under this platform”.
On his mission to Oyo State, Chief Dokpesi said he “is in Ibadan” because he was born and schooled there, saying, “so, I am a son of the soil. My mission here is to seek your permission as your son to seek your mandate to be elected as the national chairman of our great party”.
Welcoming High Chief Dokpesi, Oyo State PDP Chairman, Honourable Yinka Taiwo assured him of the Oyo State PDP support, saying,“we know you have come with great ideas to re position PDP”.
“Even the way you accepted this challenge surprised many of us. We can testify to your hardwork as far as AIT is concerned, we are sure you have come with that same wand to make positive changes in PDP chairmanship role,” he said.
Speaking, a PDP leader In Oyo State, Elder Wole Oyelese declared that” no doubt our party has gone through a lot of challenges”.
He added that “to rebuild, we need a man of integrity; not age or money, but a man of integrity. I think we should be happy that people like you has come out to express interest. What derailed the party the last time should not be allowed this time around.”
Former Senate leader and PDP candidate in 2015 governorship election in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin lauded Chief Dokpesi for his passion and courage to see PDP excel, right from its foundation days, saying,
“I believe, you have demonstrated that you have what it takes to drive this party to success.”
Other PDP leaders at the programme included former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Moruf Atilola, General Raji Rasaki, wife of the Late strongman of Ibadan politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, other executive members and all the chairmen of the party in the 33 local government councils in the state among other party supporters.
