Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Tuesday, lambasted the Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, for supporting a northern presidency in the 2023 elections.
The group stated this while reacting to a statement made by Mr Dokpesi in Abuja on Saturday as part of activities marking his 70th birthday.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, titled, ‘Dokpesi Oscillates’, the group condemned the “duplicity” of Mr Dokpesi for supporting the north and yet canvass for Mr Tinubu because they are childhood friends.
According to the group, Nigeria might remain in crisis until the leaders embrace justice, equity and fairness as guiding philosophies.
Mr Ogbonnia said, “I sympathise with our southern son, Chief Dokpesi because he started as the personal assistant to Alhaji Bamaga Tukur at the Nigerian Ports Authority. Dokpesi also served under Alhaji Umaru Dikko and General Garba Wushishi.
“Records reveal that Alh. Bamanga Tukur paid his fees from secondary school to postgraduate level. To that extent, he owes allegiance to his benefactors and feels no compunction to profile the entire south as electoral liability.
“One can easily understand the psychological ambivalence in the Dokpesi persona. On the other hand, there is no reason for the condescension and disdain he handed over to the entire South.”
“Dokpesi’s assumptions are unreflective, weird and unworthy. Any person who loves Nigeria should be an advocate of power rotation especially between the north and the south; and those our sons and daughters who lay claim to leadership should not, under any guise, give the impression that the south is a lame-duck, an electoral liability; and therefore must depend on the north to define the political trajectory of Nigeria,” the group added.
Ohanaeze urged Mr Dokpesi to allow justice and fairness to guide his dealings and choices, even as the group reminded the business mogul to be mindful of the kind of epitaph that he wishes to be remembered for.
The group led by George Obiozor also commended the 17 Southern Governors for insisting that power should shift to the south in 2023.
