Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has debunked a report that he is sick and hospitalised in the United Kingdom (UK), saying he was invited by the government there, but it is still unclear why one of his chief campaigners and deputy directors-general of his campaign council, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, was disembarked by UK security officials from a flight, grilled for hours, and released.
The founder of DAAR Communications Limited Raymond Dokpesi was arrested at the Heathrow Airport in London.
One source is quoted in media reports to have said: “We were on a flight from Frankfurt to London and as we were about to arrive in London, we were informed that we should all stay on our seat when the aircraft lands and that the Police wanted to do something. We were informed that there would be a police operation.
“So when we landed, the police came in and ask who is Raymond Dokpesi and they now took him away. He was wearing agbada. He was arrested in London.”
Meanwhile, the presidential campaign council says Atiku Abubakar, is saying that he is well and not sick as speculated in another media report.
Dino Melaye, a spokesperson of the PDP presidential campaign council, and Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, are saying the former vice-president travelled to the United Kingdom at the invitation of the British government.
Melaye said reports of an undisclosed ailmeng are “lies of unrepentant liars”.
“Disregard the lies of unrepentant liars. Atiku is 100% fit and in super form health-wise,” he wrote.
“The British government invited the leading presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, just like they had invited Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi earlier.
“Nigerians should henceforth disregard drug-induced statements propelled by some online medium.”
Ibe said in a tweet on micro-blogging site, “For the avoidance of doubt H.E Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP and former VP of Nigeria, 1999-2007, will be arriving in London on Monday, January 9, for meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday on the invitation of the British Government.”
On Dokpesi’s travails which some sources are linking to his spat with an anti-graft panel in Nigeria, the management of DAAR Communications released a statement without also stating why he was questioned.
The statement reads in full:
*FOUNDER DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC, RAYMOND DOKPESI RELEASED AFTER INCIDENT IN LONDON AIRPORT*
“The founder of DAAR Communications Plc High Chief Raymond Dokpesi (Ph.D) has been released after an incident which saw him delayed on arrival at the London Heathrow airport on Sunday January 8, 2022.
“Dokpesi arrived via Frankfurt from Abuja on a Lufthansa airlines flight and was invited off the plane, before other passengers were disembarked.
“Dokpesi was delayed at the airport for some hours before his passport was stamped and he was cleared by British Immigration officials for entry into the country.
“His visit to the United Kingdom is not unconnected to the invitation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar by the British government to share perspectives on issues around the 2023 presidential elections.
“The media founder is the Deputy Director-General, Technical & Systems of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council.
“Chief Dokpesi wishes to thank all for their outpour of love, prayers and support following the news of the incident and to reassure that he is hale and hearty.”