Adams Oshiomhole: Jonathan must be ready to step on toes

[emezico]

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has warned that if President Goodluck Jonathan must succeed in the task of moving the nation forward, he must be willing not only to step on some toes "but be ready to cut them off if need be, including those of his close associates and party leaders."


Oshiomhole, who spoke to journalists at the Benin Airport, on his way from Abuja where he attended Jonathan's inauguration as President last Sunday, described the inaugural speech as the President's reflection of his heart, his conviction, and his an attempt to set an agenda and focus the minds of the people to the direction he wished to go.


He however observed that the problem laid in Jonathan's ability and courage of to observe the address to the letter, saying that "what is left is to operationalise, that is where the challenges are."


Speaking further on the inaugural speech of the newly sworn-in President, Oshiomhole said, "Like he said, no more lamentation. I've always made that point, that the responsibility of leaders is not to lament, but to find solution. Let's wait to see if he translates that.


"He has got a legitimate mandate, this is important. He is not hunted by crisis of illegitimacy. When you are elected by the people, that gives you the confidence. Whatever anybody wants to say I believe he has Nigerian mandate, and so he does not have to worry about 'do I have the right to do what am doing beyond the law?' He has what it takes to move on, but then he has to demonstrate courage, because nobody can face Nigeria without courage."


"He must however be ready not only to step on toes, but even to cut some off, including those of his party leaders, who have always feed fat on the state, people whose only business is politics, rigging and fixing elections. He has to be ready to deal with them so that Nigerians can see a truly fresh air."

Source: The Punch