I ’m not a dictator, says Oshiomhole

FORMER Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has assured that he would not resort to dictatorship if elected as the national  chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at party’s national convention, which comes up in Abuja on June 23.

Oshiomhole, who spoke in Benin during the weekend, denied being detatorial as it was being said in some quarters.

The ex-president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said: “Some of the things I learnt in the labour union is negotiation. I am never dictatorial because even though I was the president of the NLC. I couldn’t 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.”

He said that his background as a unionist prepared him for the task ahead, noting that was why at every fora, he kept reminding that in contestation, disputes were not dysfunctional if one had the skills to manage divergences.

“I have never exercised dictatorial powers. I have always exercised persuasive powers and negotiation. And when I negotiate and persuade, you will feel obliged to do what you have to do.

“But, if I dictate to you, when I am not watching, you will yellow your heart. So, I am not capable of being a dictator by the very nature of my background,” he stated.

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Oshiomhole said that APC governor were behind his aspiration because they understood his person.

He predicted that he would emerge through a consensus leadership and that his loyalty would be to the party.

Oshiomhole disclosed that some prominent leaders of the party backed his aspirations because of the belief that he would improve its fortunes.

He said: “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 if you feel that to return that office you must service that section because it is your support base. But when you have the privilege of a broad support, from many leaders then no one leader will say I put you there and that you must listen to me,” he stressed.