The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, says chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni has been more accessible than former Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
He stated this while comparing the leadership styles of the duo in an interview published by Saturday Sun.
The party had faced crises on many fronts until June 25, when the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) dissolved the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, effectively ending Oshiomhole’s tenure.
Prior to the dissolution, a court had ordered Oshiomhole to stop parading himself as National Chairman following his suspension by his party at ward level.
The APC NEC also set up a Caretaker/Special Convention Committee chaired by Buni, who is also the Governor of Yobe State.
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Comparing Oshiomhole’s leadership style to Buni’s, Nabena said the former Edo state governor behaved more like a military dictator than a true leader.
“In the first place, NWC members are elected while the caretaker committee has appointed members.
“The mandate of this caretaker committee is simply to reconcile aggrieved party members and put the party in a killer mentality for victory in the 2023 general elections.
“Unlike in the past, it is no longer the days one person would take total control of the party machinery and structure. The caretaker committee has decentralised the leadership structure, enabling every member to participate.
“It is no longer a winner takes all mentality. I know it won’t come as surprise to observers that many party members have accepted to forgive and let go the bitterness each has against the other.
“Don’t forget that the personality of the head matters. The personality and approach of the chairman of the caretaker committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni is entirely different from that of the immediate past national chairman of the party, Oshiomhole.
“Governor Buni is more accessible than Oshiomhole. Buni has this general acceptance and adopts a mild way of communicating while some others are just like military people that will never give you the opportunity to explain your own part.
“They conclude even without hearing from the accused. Governor Buni takes things easy and he is somebody who listens. He is responsible for the return of many people to the party. He is a silent operator, deciding to do things quietly without blowing his trumpet.
“The approach Oshiomhole adopted did not make him a bad person, but his style was not acceptable to many party members. His style has been working for him but many are no longer comfortable with it,” Nabena said.