We’ll Look Into NPDP’S Agitations, Says Oshiomhole
FORMER Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has promised to wade into the ultimatum issued by the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led NPDP block in the All Progressives Congress (APC), which complained of marginalisation after helping to oust the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 election.
Fielding questions in a television interview at the weekend, Oshiomhole said the issues could be resolved.
He said: “They have carefully articulated their feelings, that they are not properly integrated or they suspect that they are not properly treated. I feel what they meant is that they are ready for conversation; they are ready for a robust engagement and constructive conversations around the issues they have raised. I believe those issues can be resolved.”
On why he and Chief John Oyegun, both from the same state, are contesting, Oshiomhole said: “The fact that we come from the same state is not the issue. We are going to have our convention, and even if I don’t contest, others will. I believe he has done his best and I want to improve on it.
We also have one of our leaders, Chief Bisi Akande, who did his best. In fact, he led the foundation for the takeoff of APC. So, the issue is about strengthening our party at this point in time, because we all agreed we needed to rejig the party for the task ahead. That is why I am in the race and with the experience I have gathered over the years, I am capable to do the job.”
On whether he was anointed by President Buhari, he said: “I don’t know about anointment, but I am very privileged to have the President of Nigeria and the overall leader of our party endorsing my candidature, as I have been told. A number of my former colleagues, governors, are excited at the possibility of my becoming our party’s chairman.”