Oshiomhole said this while
fielding questions from reporters in Benin, capital of Edo, on Friday.
He said he was never a dictator
as being alleged by his critics, adding that “certain things” he learnt in the
labour union were not dictatorial.
Oshiomhole was a former president
of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“Even though I was the president
of NLC, I cannot even control my deputy because he was voted the same manner I
was elected,” he said.
“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 I kept saying contestation and
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 and 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.”
He also added that he was
enjoying the support of leaders and APC governors ahead of the national
convention of the party.
The national convention of APC
will hold on June 23, with at least 6,800 delegates expected to participate.
“I am enjoying the support of APC
governors and other party leaders across the nation ahead of June 23 national
convention of the party,” he said.
“The reason for this is because
they understand my person and because, by the special grace of God, if I will
emerge through a consensus leadership, my loyalty will be to the party and no
more.”
He said if elected, he would
deploy his persuasive powers and negotiation skills in resolving the crisis in
the party.
“If I have prominent people from
the North, prominent people from the South, East, West and the center, no one
will say if not for my support you would not have been there,” he added.
“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 and you must listen to me.
“Let me also say that what is
also qualitatively different about this support is that there is no question
about what is influencing it; this is so, because in our political environment,
we hear that those who have the deepest pockets tend to buy the support.
“But, this support is being
offered from people who cannot be procured, which tells you that 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 on one-on-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.”
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