Why Oshiomhole was booed in Abuja

Immediate past governor of Edo state and a former Chairman of
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Adams Oshiomhole, was on Wednesday
disgraced at the ongoing colloquium organised by the Nigeria Labour
Congress, NLC, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

The former governor got more than he bargained for when he
claimed that those agitating for restructuring were those who lost
out in the 2015 election.

He had said, “The debates on restructuring in Nigeria today,
however, should bear in mind that all federal systems are dynamic
and evolving in response to changes in elite perception of power
and demand over available resources.

“The trend in most federal systems is toward a stronger central
government that guarantees minimum standards for the constituent
parts and capable of making interventions that promote the welfare
of citizens.

“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.”

Before the former labour leader could finish his speech, the
entire hall went noisy with many calling on him to ‘drop the
microphone and get out.’

Also speaking at the event, the lead speaker at the colloquium,
Samuel Egwu, explained the that restructuring agenda was not often
clearly explained by leading voices.

He said the campaigners were either genuinely confused or
outrightly mischievous.

Immediate past governor of Edo state and a former Chairman of
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Adams Oshiomhole, was on Wednesday
disgraced at the ongoing colloquium organised by the Nigeria Labour
Congress, NLC, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

The former governor got more than he bargained for when he
claimed that those agitating for restructuring were those who lost
out in the 2015 election.

He had said, “The debates on restructuring in Nigeria today,
however, should bear in mind that all federal systems are dynamic
and evolving in response to changes in elite perception of power
and demand over available resources.

“The trend in most federal systems is toward a stronger central
government that guarantees minimum standards for the constituent
parts and capable of making interventions that promote the welfare
of citizens.

“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.”

Before the former labour leader could finish his speech, the
entire hall went noisy with many calling on him to ‘drop the
microphone and get out.’

Also speaking at the event, the lead speaker at the colloquium,
Samuel Egwu, explained the that restructuring agenda was not often
clearly explained by leading voices.

He said the campaigners were either genuinely confused or
outrightly mischievous.