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By Oscar Okhifo Former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, have narrated how the late media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, played a pivotal role in scuttling former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s alleged third-term agenda. Both men spoke on Saturday at a public forum held in Abuja to honour Dokpesi’s legacy and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development. Oshiomhole, who currently represents Edo North Senatorial District, said Dokpesi stood firmly on the side of democracy when some powerful political interests sought to manipulate the constitution for tenure elongation in 2006. “The late High Chief Raymond Dokpesi was one of the courageous patriots who helped to frustrate the third-term project,” Oshiomhole said. “He used his media platforms, AIT and RayPower FM to give Nigerians unrestricted access to what was happening at the National Assembly and that transparency mobilised public outrage and ultimately buried the agenda.” The former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president recalled that AIT’s live coverage of the Senate debates on the constitutional amendment exposed the desperation of those behind the plan and rallied national opposition against it. “Without that level of openness, the plot might have quietly succeeded,” he added. “Dokpesi took huge personal risks for the sake of democracy, and Nigeria owes him that credit.” Also speaking, Minister Abubakar Momoh described Dokpesi as a selfless leader and visionary whose contributions went beyond broadcasting into political enlightenment and civic education. “Dokpesi was a bridge-builder and democrat who believed in fairness, unity, and the rule of law,” Momoh said. “He used his voice and his network to speak for the voiceless, even when it was inconvenient to do so.” Both speakers praised the late AIT founder for his boldness during the turbulent years of the Obasanjo administration, noting that his commitment to free speech and independent journalism remains a reference point in Nigeria’s democratic journey. The controversial third-term bid, which sought to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow President Obasanjo to remain in office beyond 2007, was defeated by the National Assembly on May 16, 2006, following widespread opposition from lawmakers, civil society, and the media. Though Obasanjo has consistently denied pursuing a third-term ambition, the episode remains one of the most defining political battles of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Oshiomhole and Momoh both described Dokpesi as a patriot whose courage and conviction helped safeguard Nigeria’s democracy when it was most vulnerable. The Abuja forum was organised by the management and staff of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of AIT and RayPower FM, in memory of their late founder.
