Dokpesi DIRTY politics may have reared its ugly head as the 2011 Presidential election draws near, with the Director General, IBB Campaign Organization, Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, raising the alarm that his life is under threat because of his political activities. But the High Chief from Weppa Wanno clan said that he was not intimidated, and would not step down despite the growing threats to his life for supporting General Ibrahim Babangida’s (IBB) presidential ambition.
Dokpesi, who is also the CEO of DAAR Communications, said that his family members and investments across the country were being threatened by some unnamed key supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a reaction, the presidency however issued a denial, calling Dokpesi’s allegations "a tissue of lies." The counter-statement accused Dokpesi of "introducing chilling and quite sinister dimensions to the contest for the presidency in 2011." According to the presidency, "Nigerians know those who are the "Masters" in the art of political violence and it is not President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Nigeria had enough of such deadly power games under the jack boots of dictators past, and in embracing democracy and freedom, we have said a resounding NO to them once and for all."
Dokpesi spoke in Abuja at a press briefing organized by the IBB Campaign Organization on the threat to his life. According to him, "If you push me a little further, because I was chairman of the South South People’s Assembly, I know the source. There is no point mentioning Cynthia Whyte; it is from the Villa itself that they made the contact and requested that the statement be issued. It is directly from the Villa.
"Well, let me state clearly out of respect for the Nigerian constitution and the people of Nigeria that I do not have direct evidence of the fact that he(Jonathan) is involved but I will not rule out the possibility that he is aware."
He said that his eldest son, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, received a message, warning that he would be kidnapped if his father did not resign from the position of the Director General of IBB Campaign Organization by Monday, September 13.
Dokpesi also recalled that a group under the umbrella of South South Elders and Leaders Forum had also urged him to resign. He added that a similar threat came from the Joint Revolutionary Council comprising part of MEND or Combatant Arm of the Revolutionary Council and some other militants. The group allegedly issued a statement trying to twist his arm and make him to resign from the IBB organization.
His words: "You have all reported widely the incident of the last 72 hours starting with a purported meeting held by a purported South South Elders and Leaders Forum, which was chaired and a communiqué signed allegedly by E.K Clark and 10 others which included three serving ministers of the Jonathan administration and seven others that are from the South South Zone.
"Barely 24 hours after that, a new statement said to have been issued by the Joint Revolutionary Council, which comprises part of MEND or Combatant Arm of the Revolutionary Council and some other militants that are involved. The unfolding scenario is definitely masterminded and supported actively by the Jonathan Group Campaigners. I also go further to say that at 9.30pm yesterday (Friday), my relations and children received telephone calls from various lines threatening the kidnap of my eldest son, Raymond Dokpesi(Jnr) by Monday, 13th September, if I do not step down as the Director General of this(IBB) campaign organization."
According to him, if the Jonathan organization is so sure of victory, it would not resort to intimidation and blackmail of its opponents. This ugly development, he alleged, is the beginning of the rigging of the 2011 elections. "The rigging of 2011 elections has begun by the Jonathan Campaign Organization," he declared.
Dokpesi had, in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, urged the police to investigate the threat to his life and his family by a group called the Joint Revolutionary Council. The Director, Media & Communication of the IBB campaign group, Prince Kassim Afegbua also said that the Campaign Organization had also written to inform the police and other security agencies to provide a round-the-clock security for Dokpesi.
Afegbua said: "When there are security lapses, the society will blame itself." He also argued that should IBB win the next election, he would push for laws for the establishment of state police to complement the activities of the Nigeria Police Force.
Dokpesi pleaded with the police to protect him, his family and investments in the country, adding, "I must also state that government has been putting pressure on my investments by inciting various creditors to pressurize me to step down from IBB 2011 Campaign Organization even if I will not support them. My National Radio and Television Network Licence has been put under threat once again by the government.
"I am reliably informed that the President Jonathan Campaign Group has also decided to blow up DAAR Communications Plc and television stations and investments across the country with the connivance and support of the JRC. This is in addition to an earlier call that all south southerners should boycott AIT and Raypower stations."
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