in Politics
By DADA AYOKHAI
The Edo North political landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, with the heirs of prominent deceased politicians stepping forward to uphold their families’ political legacies.
One notable emerging figure is Engr. Peter Dokpesi, the son of the late media mogul Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.
Engr. Dokpesi is stepping into the larger-than-life and illustrious political dynasty left behind by his late father, Dr Raymond Dokpesi
Engr Peter Dokpesi was among the key political players from Edo North who recently gathered in Ihievbe, Owan East, for a significant political meeting that is expected to reshape the senatorial district’s political dynamics in the coming days and weeks.
At the meeting, he joined other political heavyweights for the formal launch of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition party aiming to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election.
The meeting took place in the country home of Sen. Yisa Braimoh in Ihievbe, Owan East.
, Sen. Braimoh recently resigned from the PDP, sparking speculation about his next political move.
However, by hosting the ADC meeting in his community and bringing together prominent leaders from Edo North, Sen. Braimoh may be positioning himself to lead the ADC’s campaign in the Edo North district.
With a presence reminiscent of his late father, Dokpesi Jr. was the centre of attention during the Ihievbe meeting, where attendees discussed party matters and strategies.
The late Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, a marine engineer turned politician founded DAAR Communications Ltd., the first privately owned broadcast octopus in Nigeria and the owner of the AIT and Raypower
Dr Dokpesi was a formidable figure in Nigerian politics.
A longtime Edo PDP member, Dr. Dokpesi was considered a political giant with a significant influence on the Nigerian political landscape.
His political journey began in the Third Republic as a key member of the now-defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), where he sought the Edo North senatorial seat.
However, it was in the Fourth Republic, after transitioning to the PDP, that he truly rose as a political powerhouse.
He became the leader of the party in Etsako East and held significant national roles, even aspiring to be the national chairman of the PDP.
Following his death, discussions about his potential successor intensified, with political analysts and supporters speculating about which of his children would take on their late father’s political legacy.
However, the entry of Engr. Peter Dokpesi into politics seems to have laid to rest all speculations about who inherits the vast political legacy of Dr. Dokpesi.
Only time will tell if Dokpesi Jr. can wield the same influence and authority as his father.
The decision of Dokpesi Jr to step into the political shoes of his late father has swelled the ranks of notable figures following in their parents’ footsteps.
Examples of families who have successfully continued their political legacies include the Orbih family and the Lamai family from Etsako Central, the Oshiomole family and the Tenebe family from Etsako West, the well-known Igbinedion family in Edo South, and the Anenih family from Edo Central.
The stakes are high as the Edo North district closely observes whether Engr. Peter Dokpesi can assume the mantle of leadership and navigate the complex dynamics of the current political climate, where the memory of his father’s larger-than-life persona continues to loom large.
