ADVERTISEMENT

Oshiomhole will be the kind of chairman APC needs

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is on his way to emerging Chairman of the APC. This was always written in the stars.

Bedecked in a trademark Khaki attire, Oshiomhole bellowed into the microphone: “I want to be of help, I want to be of use to all those who need it but I am not capable of being used. I believe that this needs to be clarified because there is so much suspicion in our political space”.

He was standing before a room packed full with party chieftains, loyalists and some presidency officials. It was all anyone needed to be convinced that he has President Buhari’s blessings for the race ahead.

“Let me say that I think with all sense of modesty that I am well prepared for this kind of role.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The skill to negotiate, the skill to persuade, the skill to make consensus, the skill to do give-and-take, the skill to talk through a process that will lead to win-win solutions rather than the winners and the losers, those are the tools I have deployed as a branch union leader, becoming the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress.”

And Oshiomhole was right. He’s got bags of skills for this sort of job and more.

The APC has been badly run under John Odigie-Oyegun, it has to be said. Soon after the APC emerged victorious in the 2015 election, the party proved it couldn’t manage success. Oyegun went into a fight with APC chieftain Bola Tinubu, State Governors picked fights with Senators, the party’s consensus candidates lost leadership roles on the floor of the Senate and the House; and the APC lost the confidence of the people who voted it in at the center.

Oyegun's laid back, avuncular style of leadership was always going to make him ill suited for a bare-knuckled role like the chairmanship of a big political party.

Oyegun’s Communications team has been a complete shambles or non-existent. The APC secretariat in Abuja is crying for a new dab of paint and the APC didn’t have a Twitter account to call its own until last month. Shows how shoddy the party has been run.

ADVERTISEMENT

The APC has also lost a chunk of its base, no thanks to an admixture of poor performance at the center and poor communication.

The APC has been a madhouse.

Enter Oshiomhole.

The former labour leader is no stranger to talking his way into hearts and minds. He’s a hands-on, grassroot sweet talker and mobiliser who got most of Edo singing his name and dancing alongside him.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, the APC will now have to back Oshiomhole’s all action style with dividends of democracy and delivering on its mountain of promises. The governing party has a habit of ducking from its responsibilities and disowning its promises. Even an Oshiomhole won’t be able to talk a political party out of its own failings.

Under an orator like Oshiomhole, the APC has to change what it has become and own up when it does mess up.

So, is Oshiomhole the next APC Chairman? You bet!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT