National convention: Why Buhari, APC leaders, Governors are supporting me – Oshiomhole

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.”
-Daily Post