Raymond Dokpesi Set To Become Chief Of Staff To Jonathan

Chairman of DAAR Communications, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi is not just a successful businessman; he is one man that is close to the hearts of the people in the corridor of power.

His success as a media mogul is the result of his tenacity of purpose on one part, and his closeness to highly placed personalities on the other hand.

It will be recalled that Dokpesi was the Director General of Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organisation prior to the PDP primaries for the 2011 elections.

The latest information about Dokpesi's romance with leadership of the country is that he will soon be part of the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The successful business magnate, whose media organizations; AIT and Raypower pioneered 24 hours broadcasting in the country, sources said, has been recommended to take over from Mike Oghiadome as the Chief of Staff to the President.

Our authoritative sources, who obliged us the details of the development last week, maintained that the presidency had been shopping for a strong personality, especially one that is popular amongst the media, to handle the sensitive position as 2015 elections draw nearer.

Many names were said to have been suggested, but that of Dokpesi carried the day with strong points based on those who recommended him for the top job.

Dokpesi was reportedly recommended by the duo of the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who happens to be his long standing godfather and business associates as well as the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (PDP BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, who emphasized that Dokpesi commands a lot of respect in the media and that he has a lot of followers in the sector.

It was argued that Dokpesi has what it takes to sway the media in the direction of the President and ensure a good image for Jonathan to pave way for his winning the 2015 election.

The celebrated media owner was said to be part of the delegation of President Goodluck during his recent visit to Southern Africa, where it was concluded that he is the best man for the job from all indications.

This, we were told last week, is one step President Jonathan and his associates hold close to their hearts 'as they need to block all loopholes to ensure victory for the Bayelsa State-born number one citizen in the 2015 polls.'

The suggestion reportedly came at a time the president is struggling with his popularity arising from serious security threats occasioned by the menace of the Boko Haram sect and the downturn of the economy. This is coupled with massive unemployment and massive decay of the system, which the oppositions are allegedly capitalizing upon to 'chase Jonathan out of power in 2015.'

“President Jonathan is not joking with the matter at all. He has made up his mind to invite Dr. Raymond Dokpesi into his government as Chief of Staff and this I can tell you is real. He has been saying that he needs a stronger personality to handle that position and Raymond Dokpesu happens to be the chosen one, no matter the odds. They have already told him during the President's recent trip to Southern Africa and plans are in top gear to ensure the deal is sealed very soon,” said our source.

But one of the things that bother observers is why Dokpesi is being recommended for the job, when he was almost implicated in the bombing of Eagles Square in Abuja few years back.

It will be recalled that Dokpesi was mentioned as part of those, who had a deal with Henry Okah, who has since been jailed over the bombing in South Africa, over the sad incident. But the matter later died a natural death, safe for the trial and sentencing of Okah by a South African court few months back.

Another source, who craved anonymity last week, expressed fear for Raymond Dokpesi if he makes any attempt to reject the offer.

According to the source, Dokpesi could go the way of the owner of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, who was almost driven to Ghana in the days of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, when he lost out with the soldier-turned-politician.

A worse fate befell the billionaire owner of Bi-Courtney, Mr. Wale Babalakin, whose contracts with the Federal Government has suffered setback over his past poor relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan, when he was the vice-president to the late president Umar Musa Yar' Adua.

Investigations by First Weekly revealed that the whole matter is on a final stage and that it would soon become public knowledge unless Dokpesi declines the offer and be ready to face the expected consequences.

May 27, 2013