A former governor of Edo State,
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has revealed why he is enjoying the support of the
presidency and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in his bid to
become the party’s national chairman.
The former governor who addressed
reporters in Benin, the Edo State capital on Friday ahead of the June 23
National Convention of the party, said majority of the leaders of the party
were behind his aspiration because “they understand my person and because by
the Special Grace of God I will emerge through a consensus leadership, my
loyalty will be to the party and no more.”
Oshiomhole said if voted in, he
would exercise his “persuasive powers and negotiating skills” in resolving the
crisis in the party.
He explained that he is being
backed by prominent leaders of the party because of believe that he will
improve the fortunes of the party.
He stated that, “If I have
prominent people from the North, prominent people from the South, East and
West, it means I will be at the center.
“No one will say if not for my
support you would not have been there. If you are a product of one section then
you might remain detained by that section. But when you have the privilege of a
broad support, from many leaders then no one leader will say I put you there
you must listen to me.
“But let me also say that what is
also qualitatively different about this support is that there is no question
about what is influencing this support because conventionally in our political
environment, we hear that those who have the deepest pocket tend to buy the
support. But this support is being offered from people who cannot be procured
which tells you it is flowing from the knowledge of my person.
“Because I have been fortunate to
work with all the governors, including past governors. Those I did not meet in
office I met them when I was President of the NLC, we had engaged so on one to
one they know what I stand for. So they offered this support based on their
understanding of my person and not inducement and that makes a difference.”
He added that he was never a
dictator as being alleged in some quarters, adding that “some of the things I
learnt in the labour union is negotiations and never dictatorial because even
though I was the President of the NLC, I cannot even control my deputy because
he was voted the same manner I was elected. In the NLC you must listen to
everybody unlike in government where as an executive you can dictate decisions.
“So what my background prepared
me for is to be able to listen and that is why in everything I kept saying
contestation, disputes are not dysfunctional if you have the skills; that I have
to manage divergences.
“I have never exercised
dictatorial powers, I have always exercised persuasive powers, negotiating
skills and those are my skills. And when I negotiate with you and persuade and
you accept you will feel obliged to do what you have to do.
“But if I dictate to you, when I am not
watching you will do your heart. So, I am not capable of being a dictator by
the very nature of my background.”
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