A day after the South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA) suspended media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, for joining ex-military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida’s presidential train towards the 2011 elections, a foremost militants’ coalition in the Niger Delta, Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), has declared him persona non grata in the Niger Delta for the same reason.
The militants made their position known in a statement released by their spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, on Thursday.
They warned Niger Deltans to steer clear of participating in programmes run by Dokpesi and his business interests, such as Raypower Radio and AIT.
Dokpesi is the director-general of the campaign organisation of General Babangida, who is seeking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2011 elections.
The position of Dokpesi, an Edo high chief, is seen as being in direct conflict with the interests of the South-South which is for the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Apparently to express its displeasure, the JRC warned that any Niger Deltan “who participates in AIT programmes such as Kaakaki or advertises on AIT will be summarily punished.”
The group stated that Niger Deltans who did not support the struggle for the liberation of the region were not worthy to live among the people.
They, therefore, urged those supporting the presidential ambition of Dr Jonathan to remain resolute in the face of financial and social temptations.
The statement reads in part: “On behalf of the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), comprising alliance units of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, active combat units of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force and the Martyrs Brigade, we hereby declare Chief Raymond Aliero Dokpesi persona non grata in the Niger Delta.
“Raymond Dokpesi is a blackleg in the struggle for the liberation of the Niger Delta region and the South-South zone of the Nigerian state.
“Any Niger Deltan who will or can trade the destiny of tens of millions of Niger Delta for filthy lucre is not worthy of existence, he should not even live amongst us.
“In furtherance thereof, we demand that all Southern and Niger Delta interests should immediately cease every relationship with Raymond Dokpesi and all of his business interests.
“Government institutions and parastatal agencies, youth groups and all others are hereby warned from participating in programmes run by Raymond Dokpesi and his interests such as Raypower Radio, AIT, etc.
“Any Niger Delta interest that henceforth participates in AIT programmes such as Kaakaki, etc or advertises on AIT will be summarily punished.
“However, let us commend all those who have chosen to remain resolute and fight the Jonathan cause even in the face of grim persecution and great financial and social temptations,” the militants stated.
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