A major split has hit the Presidency over the
decision of President Jonathan to appoint
High Chief Rayond Dokpesi as his new Chief
of Staff.
Vanguard learnt from competent sources
that the President has been confused by
close political allies and aides, who have
spoken in favour and against the idea of
bringing on board the DAAR
Communications chief was a member of his
kitchen cabinet.
It was learnt that although it was Jonathan,
who actually tabbed on Dokpesi to bring on
his wealth of experience to bear on his
administration and actually mobilised him to
reach out to perceived northern political
blocks, some well-placed aides and
politicians in the ruling party, have asked
him to jettison the idea.
The antagonists of Dokpesi, it was learnt,
have tried to impress upon the President
that it would be better for him to run the
race to the end with the current CoS, Chief
Mike Oghiadomhe, who was also a deputy
governor like Jonathan and had shown
uncommon loyalty and support to him.
The pro-Oghiadomhe group is also reported
to have said that it would better for
Jonathan to sink or swim with the Edo State
politician than to bring in a new hand that
might come with his own challenges, thus
adding to the president’s political problems.
But a source close to Dokpesi told Vanguard
that it was not clear whether the High Chief
was still keen on taking the presidential
offer, given the seeming politics that was
fast playing out.
The source explained that close aides and
associates of Dokpesi had a tough time in
convincing him to accept the offer by the
President with a view to contributing his
quota to the development of the country.
“The truth of the matter is that it is the
Presidency that needs Dokpesi more. We
had to take time to convince him to take the
job so as the bring in his vast wealth of
experience to the administration. It would
therefore not bother the chief is some
people are confusing the President about
him”.
“But we know that the President knows
what he wants and cannot be distracted by
narrow-minded interests,” the source said.
www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/presidency-divided-dokpesis-choice-chief-staff/