TheCable

Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo state, says he is not capable of being a dictator.

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.”