Former Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Waziri stated on Thursday, May 29, 2025, that the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida restricted Nigerians’ options in the June 12, 1993, presidential election, forcing them to choose between Babangida’s associates, M.K.O. Abiola and Bashir Tofa, despite other qualified candidates like General Shehu Yar’Adua and Bamanga Tukur. Speaking at the Second Posthumous Legacy Colloquium in honor of the late Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications, in Abuja, Waziri argued that public frustration with military rule drove turnout, as Nigerians voted to oust the military rather than for their preferred candidates. The event was organized by Dokpesi’s associates under the D-37 platform.
Waziri praised Dokpesi as a pioneering figure in politics, business, and broadcasting, highlighting his significant contributions to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigerian media through AIT and Raypower. Recalling their last interaction, Waziri noted exchanging messages with Dokpesi before learning of his death at home on May 29, 2023, suggesting a public death might have sparked controversy. He urged organizers to document Dokpesi’s political role from 1999 to 2023 to preserve his legacy, emphasizing his impact on Nigeria’s democratic and media landscape. The colloquium featured tributes from figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who via X lauded Dokpesi’s media empire for amplifying marginalized voices, underscoring his enduring influence.
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