Posted by Semiu Okanlawon and Babatunde Oke on
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has confirmed that he is interested in seeking elective office in 2007.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has confirmed that he is interested in seeking elective office in 2007.
Oshiomhole, in an exclusive interview with our correspondents in Lagos, said the time had come for him to expand the scope of his involvement in the affairs of Nigeria.
The NLC boss stated that he had been inundated with letters and appeals from Nigerians to serve the country in a bigger capacity than his current union position.
He said, "The truth of the matter is that we cannot afford to be indifferent to political situation of our country particularly when we listen to all those who grumbled about the deficit between our potential and where we are, the growing state of hopelessness in the country and the level of unemployment. We have to appreciate that we won't be able to change Nigeria by merely perfecting the act of protesting."
On which position he was interested in, Oshiomhole said he was yet to decide.
Though, his home state, Edo was said to have been awash with posters from unknown groups calling on him to come and serve his people, the NLC president told our correspondents that he had not made up his mind on whether to limit his scope to the governorship of Edo State or run for the presidency.
He said, "I cannot rule out anything, even the presidency of Nigeria. I believe I have the right to contest it and I have what it takes to be the president."
Asked to confirm a report that the leadership of the All Nigerian Peoples Party in Edo State is wooing him, Oshiomhole said he had received invitations from the Peoples Democratic Party, the Alliance for Democracy, the Labour Party and others calling on him to run for Edo governorship.
He also said the recent rallies by the Labour and Civil Society Organisations against the new fuel price afforded many Nigerians the opportunity to express their confidence in his ability to lead the country.
The labour leader said the decision by the LASCO to embark on rallies as against the usual strikes was taken because Nigerians were strike-weary.
Although, he said strike remained the most potent form of protest against unpopular government policies, he said the NLC, in changing its strategy, took into consideration the plight of many Nigerians whose interests were also jeopardised by incessant strikes.
The PUNCH, Monday, October 17, 2005