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Tag: Oshiomhole

  • 2019: Too late for Oshiomhole to save APC, party already sinking – Shehu Sani

    …hints of dumping party soon

    Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna) has revealed plans by aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State to leave the party.

    He told reporters in Abuja, on Tuesday, that the new APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole assumed office at a time it had become too late to reconcile them with the party.

    Sani said, “I wish Adams has come earlier because like I said these grenades that were laid by the former chairman will explode in a matter of days.”

    According to him, party leaders including President Muhammadu Buhari have proved incapable of handling the crisis.

    The Senator explained that the ward, local government and state congresses in Kaduna were flawed and that complaints he and other party members lodged were ignored by the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee.

    He noted that to further compound am already bad situation, the immediate past party leadership went ahead to inaugurate the executive committee’s which emerged from the flawed congresses.

    Sani said, “It is also very clear to us that even President Muhammadu Buhari is incapable of tackling the menace of the governor of Kaduna state.

    “How can a governor, openly called for violence against Senators and not a statement came from the seat of power cautioning such a governor?

    “How can a governor move bulldozers and demolish a house of a fellow party member, the one who helped him to be where he is and there is not even a statement from the presidency?

    “The governor uses the machinery of the state to emasculate political opponents. He even framed me for murder and there was no statement that came from the presidency to caution such a governor.

    “Virtually Kaduna state under governor El-Rufai does not create conducive environment for any of us to remain in that party (APC).”

    The Senator also said, “There were three attempts to resolve the Kaduna APC crisis; there was Inuwa Abdulkadir committee which was never respected by the governor, there was the governor Masari- led committee which was also not respected and there as you can see, Tinubu’s attempt to reconcile members of the party was simply naturalized and abandoned. So we are not slaves to continue to be in that party.

     

  • Chairmanship race: Buhari, governors’ choice of Oshiomhole subject to ratification – APC

    Chairmanship race: Buhari, governors’ choice of Oshiomhole subject to ratification – APC

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said despite the support for former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole to succeed the incumbent, John Odigie-Oyegun by President Muhammadu Buhari and the 24 governors of the party as the next party chairman, the choice would still be subject to ratification.

    The party also said it will review its timetable for congresses and convention set for May 14.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known to journalists in Abuja.

    Oshiomhole is expected to challenge incumbent chairman John Odigie-Oyegun for the position although the latter has not formally announced he would seek reelection.

    Whoever emerges is expected to lead the APC into the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking on the issue of Buhari’s choice of Oshiomole as national chairman for the party, Abdullai said the president’s choice was not binding on the party.

    “What we were told at the meeting was that he was asked who he wanted and he told them his preference which has nothing to do with the meeting today,” he said.

    He said the review of the timetable was because some governors at the ongoing National Working Committee meeting said dates for the congresses/convention ”are too close”.

    About a week ago, the party released the timetable showing the schedule of activities from ward congresses to the national convention.

    The official also said the meeting addressed the need to hold transparent, free and fair elections, ”so as to avoid issues that trail congresses and conventions which was the reason the party gave for wanting to extend the tenure of party officials.”

    “It was a technical meeting that was organised to review our preparedness towards the congresses and convention. It is also to have the opportunity to emphasise to the state governors the need to ensure the congresses were held in a very transparent manner and ensure the processes were free and fair. Because we are aware that some governors have been making statements that we believe have given the impression that we don’t intend to have congresses in some states.

    “If you recall, one of the major concerns of the party is that we should try as much as possible to avoid rancour that could be generated from congresses. So, it was acknowled that the one major way to avoid rancour is to ensure the congresses are transparent and acceptable to a majority of the persons concerned.”

    Abdullahi also said the list of members of the congresses committees will be ready by Friday.

    Speaking on some of the issues raised by the governors, he said the initial timetable was set ”with Ramadan in view so as not to conduct any political activity during that period.”

    “There were also observations from the side of the governors about the timetable for the congresses and convention, and the observation was that the timetable was closely packed and that it doesn’t leave much room for errors but the observation was that the timetable as it is currently composed was determined because of the Ramadan. We want to be sensitive to the feelings of Muslims who will be fasting in the month of Ramadan. Therefore, we tried avoid conducting any political activity during the month of Ramadan.

    “There were also other arguments. Therefore, there is a possibility the timetable will be reviewed. So it’s not decided yet, we agreed that the NWC will take a second look at the timetable and see the possibility for adjustment.”

    Meanwhile, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, said another issue raised concerning the timetable was that the congresses were set to hold on weekdays ”which will be a problem as they use schools and secretariats which will not be available on weekdays so they suggested they be conducted on weekends”.

    He also hinted that if the timetable is changed, the convention might be after the Ramadan.

    ”In that respect, the NWC has been mandated to go and fashion it out. Also, it may fall within the Ramadan time, we will make consultations to see if only one congress can be held during Ramadan then after Salah we hold the national convention. I think that will be sorted out and the national committee is working on that.

    “Also, we all agreeed that the NWC will organise the congresses from the ward, local government and states while the the committee for the national convention will organise the national convention. We also agreed that zoning will be maintained for the officers but also that those governors within that zone should go and discuss but the post(s) will reamain as it is.”

    Governors present at the meeting were: Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara; Rochas Okorocha of Imo; Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano; Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger; Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo; Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun; Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa; Minnir Yakubu, deputy governor, Katsina State and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State.

     

  • Angry Oyegun rubbishes endorsement of Oshiomhole as APC chair

    Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has described the purported endorsement of Adams Oshiomhole by stakeholders of the party from the South-South geopolitical zone as childish and a foolish charade.

    The South South APC leaders were reported to have endorsed former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, as the concensus candidate of the zone for the national chairmanship position.

    But few minutes after the meeting, four state chairmen of the party and other party leaders washed their hands off the resolution, saying they were “ambushed.”

    Oyegun speaking to newsmen on Tuesday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja stated that Oshiomhole cannot be elected in Edo State government house.

    He pointed out that the said endorsement was clear indication that “the trumpeters do not understand the rule of the game.

    “The endorsement is childish, absolutely childish. The voting is done at the convention and not in State houses, not in government houses.”

    When asked why he was being rejected by his hometown, Oyegun said it should be expected, adding that he was not bothered at all by the apparent hostility.

  • Buhari, governors reject Oyegun, back Oshiomhole for APC chairman

    Buhari, governors reject Oyegun, back Oshiomhole for APC chairman

    …as 24 governors support President’s second term bid

    President Muhammadu Buhari and governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed their willingness to support former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole to become the next national chairman of the ruling party.

    At a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa last night, the governors, led by Progressives Governors Forum Chairman Rochas Okorocha, proposed to the President their interest in the former labour leader.

    Sources at the meeting said the President did not object to the request.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari also attended the meeting.

    Seventeen governors attended. Two were represented by their deputies.

    Seven governors: Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), were absent.

    The issue and the endorsement of the President for second term by the governors were the only isues discussed at the meeting held at the First Lady’s Conferemce Room, sources said.

    The party’s national convention to pick members of the National Working Committee (NWC) will hold in Abuja on May 14.

    After the meeting, Okorcha said all the 24 APC governors were backing President Buhari’s second term bid.

    The President at the last APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, declared his intention to seek another term.

    Okorocha said governors communicated their support for the President’s reelection.

    He said: “We came to welcome him back and to commend him for his boldness and courage to declare his intention to run for second term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which we the 24 governors of the APC duly support.

    ”And we have come to encourage him that he must go ahead with his vision,” he added.

    According to him, the meeting also addressed the coming convention and congresses to make it hitch-free.

    ”We also agreed that we will not allow the issue of many contestants to destroy our party.” he said.

    Asked if Oshiomhole’s endorsement came up, Okorocha said the public would be “duly briefed in due course”.

     

  • Buhari congratulates Oshiomhole at 65

    Buhari congratulates Oshiomhole at 65

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the All Progressives Congress family in congratulating party stalwart and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on his 65th birthday.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Tuesday, Buhari felicitated with the foremost labour leader, his family, friends and colleagues on the milestone.

    The President noted with delight that Oshiomhole had won various awards and recognitions for courageous and selfless service to humanity, the nation and his community as a former leader of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and a governor.

    The President extolled the vision, bravery and forthrightness of Oshiomhole in instituting long lasting changes in Edo for eight years, particularly the investments in people by enhancing the health, educational and physical infrastructure standard of the state.

    As a unionist and labour leader, Buhari acknowledged the vocal and frontline roles Oshiomhole played in ensuring a return to democracy and the entrenchment of democratic principles in governance.

    He noted that Oshiomhole achieved this feat by continually challenging the norms and emphasising the rule of law, people friendly policies, probity and accountability.

    The President affirmed that “the nation has benefitted a lot from the robust and responsive leadership style of the former governor, believing that as he grows older, his invaluable wisdom will be most useful for the growth of the nation.’’

    He prayed that the almighty God would grant Oshiomhole “longer life and good health to keep serving the nation he loves so much.’’

  • Ask questions on how government spend your taxes – Oshiomhole tells Nigerians

    Former Edo Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole has called for a review of Nigeria’s tax laws for an effective tax administration.

    Oshiomole, also a former President, Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ), made the call at the 26th Convocation Lecture of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu.

    The lecture was entitled, “Crisis of Governance, Governance of Crisis: The Role of Education in Nibbling Governance Crisis in Nigeria.”

    He said the Federal Government must put necessary machinery in place to ensure that those who are expected to pay tax do so as and when due for improved infrastructural development of the country.

    Oshiomhole regretted that the only group of people who pay tax regularly are salary earners whose taxes were deducted at source.

    The former governor expressed disappointment that millions of taxable adults had devised means of evading tax.

    “How do we justify tax payment because most people say why do we pay tax when they will steal the money, what are they doing with it? Look at the roads they are bad, ” he said.

    According to him, such statement were mere excuses as the first step to be taken is to pay the tax to get moral and legal right to demand the judicious use of the money by the government.

    Oshiomhole urged the federal government to take a cue from the effective tax system of the Lagos State Government which had devised a means of identifying those who are expected to pay tax and ensure that they comply.

    “The developmental strides and successes recorded in Lagos State is a result of proper tax collection and judicious use of the fund.

    “Government must ensure that those who are at advantage pay their taxes and the fund generated should be used to deliver infrastructure for those who are at disadvantaged and everyone.

    “You can’t expect good roads, water and other social amenities if you don’t pay tax; once you pay then you can begin to probe the authorities and demand accountability for your money, ” he said.

    On the rights of the citizens, Oshiomhole noted that the logic of democracy enables citizens to have not only the weapon to vote once in four years, but to “police and interrogate” those they voted for in between the elections.

    He decried the poor state of the nation’s economy which he blamed on mismanagement of the country’s resources by the previous administration.

    “The manifestation of crisis in Nigeria include but not limited to corruption, failing public schools, security challenges, growing population, among others.

    “While it cannot be established that everybody is involved in corruption, its existence must be recognised by all and fought out of our system.”

    Oshiomhole noted that corruption had affected almost all the sectors of the country, adding that graft was not limited to only those in government.

    According to him, the poor state of infrastructure and absence of basic facilities such as stable power supply, potable water, good roads and functional refineries are caused by corruption.

    On petrol subsidy, the ex-governor he said rather than subsidising petroleum products the government should handover the refineries to competent private investors who would make manage and run them.

    “Rather than to lament and agonize, what we need do is to organize and tackle those things that have brought us down as a nation.

    “As Nigerians we must recognise the problems confronting the country so as to diagnose and prescribe solutions to fix them.

    “The responsibility of leaders is so fix the country rather than join the citizens to lament.

    “When one notices that an environment is oppressive, what is expected of the victim is not to sit down to lament but to devise a way out of the problem,” he said.

    He, however, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari on the war against corruption, saying it recorded remarkable results.

    “The era of impunity of do it and nothing will happen is almost over in Nigeria; this is an era bringing every offender to book no matter their status.”

    Oshiomhole urged Nigerian students to be interested in governance, saying you are the future leaders.

    “You must interrogate power, organise yourself decently and ensure that your leaders are accountable just like the NANS during the military era who demand answers for every action.

    “Unlike the NANS of today who go mute on burning societal issues and are giving awards and giving plaques to government officials and other influential people, ” he said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State lauded the former governor for honouring the invitation of the state polytechnic and expresses optimism that he would do justice to the lecture.

    Ambode, represented by Dr Abdullateef Abdulakeem, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, described him as a ‘protagonist and an antagonist’.

    He said the role played by Oshiomhole in crisis management as a labour leader and governor negotiating potential issues with government and in government could not be over emphazised.

    The Rector of the institution, Mr Samuel Sogunro, noted that government was all about service delivery and once it fails at any level, the entire society would be affected, stressing the need for transparency in governance.

    Sogunro said education in governance was key and if ignored could lead to crisis in governance because “education is the nation’s bulwark.”

  • Open letter: You are not Buhari’s adviser, Oshiomhole tells Obasanjo

    Open letter: You are not Buhari’s adviser, Oshiomhole tells Obasanjo

    Immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrafe Adams Oshiomhole on Friday declared that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was not entitled to advise President Muhammadu Buhari as he was a member of his (Buhari’s) cabinet.

    The former governor spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting the President behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Obasanjo had in a special press statement titled, ‘The Way Out: A clarion call for a Coalition for Nigeria Movement,” last week questioned Buhari’s competence to rule Nigeria further, advising him to forget his second term bid.

    The former President told Buhari not to test the patience of Nigerians, advising him to consider a deserved rest after the completion of his first term.

    But Oshiomhole said Obasanjo had no such power to advise the President.

    He said, “I’m not sure when I see the list of the (President’s) advisers, that President Obasanjo is one of the advisers.

    “I also recall with respect that the day President Obasanjo was inaugurating in some of his advisers, he did say that anybody who is his adviser can advise him, he will make his own decisions. I think that principle still stands.”

    The former governor said, as a loyal party man, he was in the Presidential Villa to reassure Buhari of his government and also for 2019 election.

    He said it was important for Buhari to know that at this trying times, he has men and women who have huge confidence in his leadership ability.

    He said Nigerians could not but to appreciate the President and all that has been done under his leadership in the past two years and some months, especially in the fight against corruption.

    He said those who are conversant with the nation’s history would admit that its problems did not start with the present administration.

    He said although many people had advised against blame game, there was no way the country could move forward without accessing the past.

    Oshiomhole said those who understood the dynamics of governance knew that the rot of 16 years could not be cleared in two years.

    He said, “Nigeria was below ground level and from what you guys report that I read, we have always had challenges but never in terms of this scale and magnitude.

    “What President Buhari inherited is difficult to describe. I have said so before that when you meet such a situation, your first task is to halt the drift. When you halt the drift, then you stabilise before you begin to go. There is no miracle about it.

    “I don’t think that anybody who understands the challenge of nation building, of national economic management and so on will expect that in two years, you can fix in a sustainable manner all of the things that have been destroyed over 16 years before this party came into office.

    “Yes, there are challenges; there are a couple of things we need to begin to do and re-enforce but there is no question that a lot has begun and a lot is being done.”

    Oshiomhole lauded the present administration for its Social Investment Programme that seeks to among other things pay the poor under the Conditional Cash Transfer component of the scheme.

    He, however, admitted that paucity of data is a major challenge to the plan.

    “For me, there is a commitment. I can see a heart that cares for the poor.

    “But that doesn’t mean caring for the poor will make the poverty disappear overnight but that is a starting point.

    “If you don’t recognise that we have these people amongst us and they are in millions, then you are not even likely to reflect on how to deal with their problems.

    “For me, in terms of values, I can see a lot,” the former governor concluded.

  • World Bank: ‘Buhari is a true elder statesman, his statement deliberately misconstrued’ – Oshiomhole

    World Bank: ‘Buhari is a true elder statesman, his statement deliberately misconstrued’ – Oshiomhole

    Immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s request asking the World Bank to divert developmental strides to the North-East was made in good fate to savage the raving conditions of the region as at the time the plea was made.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Managing Director of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim last Thursday said the president of specifically placing a request that the bank restricts its developmental grants to the northern part of the country.

    Jim Yong Kim was quoted as saying: “You know, in my very first meeting with President Buhari he said specifically that he would like us to shift our focus to the northern region of Nigeria and we’ve done that. Now, it has been very difficult. The work there has been very difficult”.

    However, in a reaction, the former governor said it was regrettable that a patriotic request made by the President and borne out of altruistic motivation was now being politicised.

    Oshiomhole, who made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja, said Buhari remains a statesman.

    The statement said: “It is a matter of fact that I was present at the meeting of President Muhammadu Buhari with the World Bank President Dr. Kim Jong on July 21, 2015 at the Blair House, Washington DC.

    “It is rather unfortunate that a patriotic request made by Mr. President and borne out of altruistic motivation is now being twisted, manipulated and politicised to suit certain political end.

    “Mr. President made the request against the backdrop of the devastation of the Northeast zone and the need for international organisations to rise in support of the efforts of the Nigeria government in arresting the humanitarian crisis in that part of the country.

    “The inhuman conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons were also discussed and Mr. President urged the World Bank to look into the best possible ways to address the crisis before it got out of hand.

    “In Edo State at that period, the government I headed was also buffeted with the challenge of dealing with internally displaced persons who came to settle in the outskirt of Benin City without the knowledge of the state government.

    “It took my personal intervention and the cooperation of Mr. President before we could offer our logistic assistance to make their location habitable to avert any humanitarian crisis.

    “For those who are familiar with the devastation of the North-East, where over 20,000 persons have reportedly been killed with over two million internally displaced persons, it smacks of political notoriety for any rational mind to question the request of Mr. President.”

    The ex-governor urged Nigerians to stop playing politics with the session between the President and the World Bank chief.

    The statement added: “President Buhari remains a statesman, who is not only patriotic and altruistic in his intentions, but one whose actions speak volume for our unity of purpose.

    “We should see the country as one indivisible entity driven by common objectives and goals.”

     

  • Oshiomhole denies ‘willing’ official cars to ex-deputy speaker, Ativie, says ‘charge her for stealing’

    The immediate past governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has denied giving out official vehicles attached to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly to the impeached Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, for her personal use.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the lawmaker had last week said she won’t return the vehicles because the former governor had ‘willed’ them to her for willingly stepping down for the her then deputy (Dr Justin Okonoboh) to emerge Speaker while she became his deputy. She even stated that some of the vehicles had been sold.

    However, responding to the allegations, Oshiomhole, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Iyamoh, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state said the claims by Ativie were false and that the new House leadership should charge her for fraud and stealing if she refused to return the vehicles by the stipulated deadline.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Ativie was impeached with Okonoboh, who hails from Edo Central and the ex-Majority Leader, Mr. Foly Ogedengbe, for alleged misconduct. They were directed by the new Speaker, Mr Kabiru Adjoto, to return the official vehicles in their possession.

    In Oshiomhole’s words: “Ativie has to return those vehicles and I believe that the government, whether the executive or legislative branch, has to follow the legal procedures to recover those vehicles, and if she has privatised them, charge her for stealing. I had a meeting, incidentally, with the members of the House few days after the change (impeachment) and I pointedly reminded her that she had to return those vehicles.

    “You will not forget in a hurry that (for) everything that happens in the state, the governor is the person that everybody looks at, whether he knows about it or not. Even those who know that the governor does not know, it is very convenient to just blame him for everything.

    “At the eve of the governorship election, the House had reasons to make a change which offset what we commonly refer to as the tripod. But once they made the change, the thing was either she resigned when the House realised that they agreed with the party that we needed to make an adjustment or they impeached the Speaker.

    “And they were not ready to impeach her because they said it would not be fair to impeach her, though there were arguments that, after all, she was married to an Esan (Edo Central) man and, therefore, by marriage, she is Esan. But again you know that in Nigeria, it depends on what suits you. One of the concerns she raised was that now that she had the vehicles of the Speaker, if she had to resign and be made a Deputy Speaker, she would not be entitled to those four vehicles.”

    He further explained that an agreement was reached at the meeting that she could use the four vehicles as the deputy speaker for as long as she occupied the office.

    Oshiomhole, however, noted that the agreement did not mean that her successor would have four vehicles because the vehicles were meant for the office of the Speaker but “personal” to her as deputy speaker.

    “How does that amount to asset transfer? I am not in a position to give out government assets. The car that Governor (Godwin) Obaseki is using now, incidentally, was one of my official cars. The one he is using in Abuja is the one I handed over. They are not my property. It is true that governors have powers but those powers are derived from law; the limits of those powers are also well-specified in law,” he added.

    On the letter alleged to have been personally signed by him to transfer the vehicles to the suspended lawmaker, the ex-governor stated, “If it is anything done by me, I have told you what I did and I think it is very straightforward. First is that I never wrote her a letter donating government cars to her. No. I couldn’t have; it doesn’t make sense. I don’t even have such powers, even if I wish to and if I am going to donate government cars, I cannot donate cars belonging to the Edo State House of Assembly.”

  • Sultan, Oshiomhole booed for backing Buhari on ‘unity of Nigeria not negotiable’ statement

    Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole have further harped on President Muhammadu Buhari’s stand that ‘the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable.’

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that both the Sultan and Oshiomhole spoke as guest speakers at a one day Colloquium organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with the theme: “The Labour Movement and the Future of United Nigeria: What Role for Restructuring.”

    The Sultan said while groups from all over the country were agitating for one thing or the other, nobody had the right to ask others to leave any part of the country despite the glaring realities.

    He said: “When people talk about restructuring, if they mean we should disintegrate the country, I will not support it. But if it means making things and lives better and much conducive and convenient for Nigerians, then lets sit down and discuss about it.

    “I know that many of these groups from the North, West, South-South and South East agitating for this or that have their positions. But despite the realities at present, no group has the right to tell anybody you must leave this place or that place if we still live in this country called Nigeria.’

    “And I support the President’s position 100 per cent, I believe what he said is right.

    “And I say, instead of talking about devolution of power, let’s talk about devolution of economy’, the Sultan said.

    Also speaking, former Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomhole said those that lost out of the 2015 general elections for fueling the agitation for restructuring, argued that most of the wealth worked for by the working class had been annexed by few political elites.

    However, the ex-governor’s position on restructuring drew the anger of some of those present at the event who shouted “no, no!” for over five minutes until the intervention of NLC president, Ayuba Wabba.

    While calling for attitudinal change and values, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain noted that the current federal system in terms of structure and revenue sharing formular cannot lead to even development.”

    Despite opposition to his view, an unrepentant Oshiomhole told the gathering that “I am not here to do anybody’s job. I just want to share my thoughts with you. And I will be surprised if any one of you will agree with what I want to say. I want to plead with you, allow me to state my position; then you can disagree.

    “That is the tradition of organised labour. And of course, if there are some people who have other issues, I just want to plead with you that what is at stake; is not me. What is at stake is our country. And the country is yours. The country is mine. The country is ours.”

    “I believe in the unity of Nigeria. I have said, and I am not saying it for the first time, the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. Just like the unity of the NLC is not negotiable. But, the governance of our country, the quality of leadership, we must continue to review it and continue to engage it.

    “I said to you when I was president of the NLC, and I repeated it when I was governor, that we need active citizenry; citizens that can interrogate their leaders. With some of these revelations, I am sure nobody is disturbed.

    “If we all continue to lament, I think this is the area, we have to say something. Every person is capable of doing good and also capable of doing bad. From what we have seen in America, when institutions are strong and people are active, people are ready to come out, not sponsored by political opponents, but sponsored by your own conscience and we have robust engagement. I believe things will change.

    “I ask us to recognise that no structure will be permanent, or will be perfect. We will have to do devolution of power, we must also do review of our attitudes, our characters and joining forces to fight corruption because what has been taken from a few will not be available for the rest. I do hope that NLC has started this today, you will sustain it.”

    The former governor also drew attention to the activities of the former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison- Madueke, insisting that an active citizenry would checkmate corruption and profligacy in the system.