Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Former Edo State Governor and top contenders for the All Progressives Congress (APC), National Chairmanship position, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has described his two other aspirants contesting against him as feather weight.
Speaking to newsmen after undergoing several hours screening in Abuja yesterday, Oshiomhole however promised that whether or not he emerges the National Chairman of the party, he will continue to work hard to ensure that the APC retains power.
He maintained that the screening process leading to the emergence of a new leadership is more important than the outcome.
While describing democracy as problematic, Oshiomhole said that there was still no better way to govern a people who are not children than through democracy, stressing that he was confident of emerging victorious at the end of the convention.
“I am used to contestations and competition and I am a democrat. That was why I did not agree with those who said extend our tenure without election. I think democracy is problematic, but there is no better way to govern a people who are not children who should be spoon fed.
“In this business, it is not just what you do, not how it is done and who is involved in the doing. It is about participation. I am excited and the people are no strangers.
“At least, I know one and we have contested against each other before. He rigged me out, I pursued him, won and retrieved the mandate from him. I went back to seek second term and I won. I defeated him even in his local government. I won 18 over 18, defeating him in his ward, his unit, his local government and Senatorial district.
“If I was able to defeat him as an ordinary union leader when they dismissed me that I was not a politician while he was already a senator and I was able to defeat him.
“Now as a man who has had the privilege to preside over the affairs of Nigeria Labour Congress nationwide, a two time Governor, if I have to compete with somebody who was governor for 18 months, I don’t have any problem.
“As for the others, let me say that in a boxing ring, heavy weights don’t engage feather weights. But serious speaking, I am happy that we are in a democracy and people are free to contest. Quite frankly, the process is much more important than the outcome.
“I am satisfied not because I will be chairman, but because my party is in power. My commitment is not just for me to be chairman.
Whether chairman or no chairman, I will continue to work hard to see that our party retain power at the Centre and also won power in many more states and produce many more senators, House of Representative members and more House of Assembly members so that we will have the strength we need to deepen the change and sustain the changes,” he said.
Speaking on the outcome of his screening, Oshiomhole said: “When you write an exam, you try to do your best, trusting that your examiners will find your answers will be good enough to give you a pass or even a distinction. That would only be at their discretion. I would say that I tried my best to speak to the issues which are basically how to move forward.
“Nobody should seek to lead if you don’t have a level of understanding of what the challenges because you can’t do prescriptions without diagnosis. Fortunately, I have been a founding member.
“I was one of the governors that participated in the merger meetings when we had to sit for the first time ac ACN governors, CPC Governor, ANPP governor and that of APGA to see how we can move forward.
“So, I understand the mission and the vision of the APC because we were the founding persons of the party. So, I know what our dream was and the gap between that dream and the current reality. I am also clear as to what we need to do differently so that dream is realized,” he boasted.
The former Labour Leader however dismissed speculations that he was sponsoring some of those contesting the chairmanship seat noting: “I don’t react to speculations. I react to real issues. If they are speculations, they should be allowed to die as speculation.”
Other aspirants screened include the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Clement Ebiri among others.
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