Chairmanship Race: Oshiomhole Courts APC Senators 

James Emejo in Abuja
Former Governor of Edo State and All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairmanship aspirant, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday met with members of the party’s caucus in the Senate to solicit for their support for the position.

He said though he had ruffled feathers with some former governors, who are now senators when he was President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by leading people against the government they headed, nevertheless, “We’ve managed to maintain mutual respect” thereafter, adding that he’s managed to build bridges across all divides.

He promised a participatory party system which will be “pro-people and people-centered” and based on party constitution.
He said part of the current challenges of the APC was that the various organs of the party had not functioned in an anticipated manner but had managed to function based on individual capacity.

He said though the APC has had couple of problems, he would be able to put his experiences in unionism as former labour leader as well as in governance as former governor of Edo State into use to better the lots of the party.

He said the party must learn to do things differently, noting there will always be contentions.
Oshiomhole said compromise remained a critical driver in negotiations, adding that “With an open mind, we can do business.”
He said it is possible to resolve all the issues affecting the APC in win-win style.

He said: “I have no doubt that working with you, APC will fulfil its mission and be a different party.”
The chairmanship aspirant said having worked through governance, he’s had better understanding of the relationship between legislature and executive and will bring it to bear on his new assignment if elected.

He said: “We are not opponents of ourselves. We’ve a duty to reassure Nigerians that this party can deliver.”
However, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, shortly before the meeting went into closed-door session, commended Oshiomhole for taking the initiative to meet with the senators.
He said having known his antecedence, he has no doubt about the chairmanship aspirant’s capacity to confront challenges.