What do Nigerians think about Oshiomhole’s problem with governors?

Many state governors have fallen out with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole over the recent handling of primary elections in the states. Daily Trust brings to you opinions of some Nigerians on the issue. Amos Jothan, APC chairman, Bayelsa State As it is normal during political season, those that […]

Many state governors have fallen out with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole over the recent handling of primary elections in the states. Daily Trust brings to you opinions of some Nigerians on the issue.

Amos Jothan, APC chairman, Bayelsa State

As it is normal during political season, those that have not been favoured during the primaries could raise eyebrows. There is nothing Oshiomhole can do as a chairman. Even the party cannot do anything contrary to the constitution just to pacify anybody, because if they do, it will put the party in a very bad shape. It’s not easy to manage a ruling party during electioneering period, so to begin to think about bringing another person to lead the party at this critical time is not easy.

 

Hon. Stanley Sunday Peters, Politician, 32, Bayelsa State

You know most of these governors have their own personal interests which differ from Oshiomhole’s. In Nigerian politics, Oshiomhole as a national chairman will like to impose candidates on the people in some states, while the governors will not agree with him. Of course we know such action by the national chairman will not work because everybody has interest.

 

Eunice Nnachi, Journalist, 36, Bayelsa State

Oshiomhole is too autocratic to be a party chairman. Party administration is different from labour union or being a governor. How can you justify a situation where people who had spent millions of naira to buy nomination forms were indiscriminately disqualified without any good reason during the just concluded primaries? Governors have every reason to be angry with Oshiomhole because he has not done well. Many prominent members of the APC have decamped since Oshiomhole became the chairman.

 

Habiba Balarabe Suleiman, Politician, Nasarawa State

Oshiomole’s problem with the APC governors is truly quite unfortunate. I believe the APC chairman tried to create a level playing ground where all parties will enjoy fairness in their quest for the various positions. Unfortunately, the issue of godfatherism is what has caused this rancor. Every governor wants his own interest protected and promoted.
The only issue I am finding difficult to grasp is the issue of the “automatic ticket” given or awarded by the party chairman.
They should allow true democracy reign and please give mandates to the people’s choices.

 

Danjuma Dickson Auta (JP), 48, Journalist

Oshiomole is coming from a background of a unionist and considers himself as one that knows everything about leadership and governance having also served as governor for eight years. He was trying to return the party to the era of due process and respect for party supremacy, but unfortunately some APC members have no respect for that. He would have still made great impact if he was a chairman of a new party and not APC, because the impunity in APC now is much and disrespect for party structure is obvious.

 

Comrade Wilfred Frank Ogbotobo, Convener, South-South Legacy
Forum, Bayelsa State

Oshiomhole, I believe, has very good intentions to reinvent the APC. Expectedly, he has his own shortcomings, but his mission is obvious and cannot be doubtful. Personally, I will not support a situation where major stakeholders will treat him with contempt and impunity, in as much as the state governors, more than anyone else, relatively feel the pinch of the local political realities. There should be a meeting point where the survival and interest of the party should supersede the interplay of egos and selfish power.

 

Muhammad Bello Sada, Lecturer,
Katsina State

I believe Oshiomhole is the architect of his problems the moment he promised automatic return tickets to some senators in an effort to keep them in the party. Some of these senators have become bitter enemies with their governors since the inception of this government. He allowed some states to conduct indirect primaries and forced direct primaries on others to keep his promise of automatic ticket to those he promised. Instead of meeting the governors to reach a consensus, he took an authoritative approach.

 

Babangida Sule-Manchok, Activist, Abuja

I am in total support of Oshiomhole’s leadership qualities and the way he is handling the party. He inherited so many problems, and since taking over he has initiated workable tactics in solving the many problems that were emerging before he came on board. With respect to his impasse with some governors, l will advise him not to succumb and it is time the governors realize that with Oshomhole it cannot be business as usual. Besides, their selfishness and personal interest is very obvious.