President Goodluck Jonathan has debunked claims  by Raymond Dokpesi ,DG of Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organization that he is being persecuted because he rejected an offer to lead the president’s campaign team.Speaking through his presidential campaign team ,Jonathan said Dokpesi was never under consideration.Dokpesi was recently arrested by the SSS  for interrogation over the recent bomb blast in Abuja.Yesterday, he addressed the press where he alleged persecution by the incumbent.

The statement signed by Sully Abu, director of media and publicity of the Goodluck/Sambo presidential Campaign organization said:``the attention of the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organization has been drawn to certain utterances by the Director General of the Babangida Campaign Organization, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to the effect that he was suffering an imagined political persecution because he declined to head our campaign organization.’’

Continuing statement added``Nothing could be farther from the truth. At no time was Chief Dokpesi considered for such a role. He never made it to anybody’s short list or long list.’’

 The President’s statement argued  that ``in any case, the claim defies political common sense as such a position is normally given to someone outside the geographical zone of the aspirant. Dokpesi, being from the South South as is President Jonathan could never have been considered for such a position.’’

Also, the campaign organization has revealed today in a separate statement  equally by Abu that  a high-powered delegation led by the Director General of the Goodluck Sambo Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida leaves Abuja tomorrow for Sokoto to commence a nationwide “meet-the-stakeholders” tour.

The visit is designed to pay traditional courtesies on eminent citizens in the various States to acquaint them first hand of the desire of President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo to offer themselves as nominees of the PDP to contest next year’s presidential elections on a joint ticket.

Among those to be visited are traditional and religious leaders, State Executives of the PDP, Local Government Council Chairmen and Local Government party chairmen and elders.

Accompanying Dr. Tafida on the northwest leg of the tour are the Director, Campaign and Logistics, Dr. Saidu Samaila Sambawa; the Director, Contact and Mobilization, Alhaji Ahmed Ali Gulak; member of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Isaiah Balat and other members of the council from the zone.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''