- Chief Raymond Dokpesi has attributed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s failure to win the 2015 presidential election to arrogance on the part of the party leaders
- He said the party crashed because its leaders became so proud that they felt they didn’t need the people
- He said the party needs rebranding which he pledged to carry out, saying in the process of rebranding there shouldn’t be sentiment
A contender from the south-south extraction for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’ national chairmanship position in the Saturday, December 9 national convention of the party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has stated that the party lost out in the 2015 presidential election due to the arrogance of the party leaders, Today NG reports.
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NAIJ.com gathered that Dokpesi who was addressing the national convention party delegates from Akwa Ibom state on Monday, December 4, said the party made costly mistakes by allowing .arrogant leaders to lead the party at the national level.
He said: “today the party which we all boasted to be in power for 50 years is now in the minority at all level of governance in the country.
“We are now in the minority in senate, minority in the house of representatives, even in governor’s forum, we are in the minority.
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“The Party crashed because our leaders became so proud, they felt they didn’t need the people but that it is the people that need the leaders so we crashed out."
Dokpesi cited impunity as one of the sins of former party leaders, saying there was also a disconnect between the people and the party, a result of which led to disintegration.
He said the party needs rebranding which he pledged to carry out, saying in the process of rebranding there shouldn’t be sentiment.
The chairmanship aspirant said it was time for PDP chairman to emerge from the south-south. He said: “In the south-south, Uche Secondus is aspiring alongside my good self. I agree that Secondus has experience but has unproductive experience which cannot lead the party at the national level to any success."
"When he was the interim national chairman, the party lost most of its member because of monetisation policy of his political system in the party at all levels," he said.
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that former governor of Delta state, Chief James Ibori, on Friday, December 1, described Chief Raymond Dokpesi as a passionate loyalist of PDP, saying he had toiled for the party.
Ibori said in Oghara when he received Dokpesi, that the aspirant was enjoying huge confidence of party members because of his record and commitment.
Similarly, a chieftain of PDP in the state, Ben Edo-Osagie, described Dokpesi as a “brave man with credibility”, adding that in spite of all intimidations, he remained in the party and “gave it his all”.
PDP chieftain, Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu speaks about the party's crisis - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng