Presidency Divided Over Dokpesi’s Choice As Chief Of Staff.

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. It was heard 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 if 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.