By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The outrage and condemnation that greeted the recent childless utterances against the first lady of Edo State, Dr. Betsy Ifueko Obaseki, have been overwhelming across the nation, especially among the women, who saw that statement as an abominable action that was done to humiliate and embarrassed the women folk.
Mrs Obaseki has in one of the PDP campaign rallies asked Edo women to vote for a candidate with a responsible wife whose duty is to ensure the husband succeeded in any endeavour, adding that the candidate of the PDP, Dr. Asue Ighodalo has a wife that fits in that category and will protect the interest of the women in the state if he wins the September 21 election.
But within a short while Edo state and the nation were shocked to see a trending video online where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole openly attacked the first lady of Edo State, using all manner of words to mock her, that she is childless and moreover that she and her husband, Governor Godwin Obaseki do not like children and that is the reason they did not bother to adopt one.
Edo people see this action by a former governor of Edo State as an abomination. They said this is unbecoming of Oshiomhole who is supposed to act as a leader even being a serving senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
Since the incident happened many people including groups, organizations have unanimously come out to condemned the former governor for displaying such a behaviour in the public, considering his position in the state as an elder.
You will recall during Oshiomhole's tenure as governor he equally displayed this kind of ugly character where he publicly told a widow to "go and die" simply because the woman displayed her wares along Mission Road in the heart of Benin. With his vituperation against the Edo first lady, it shows his hatred for the women is large in his heart.
This week Edo women led by the Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Maria Omozele Edeko came out in their numbers through a press briefing to condemn the ignoble act by a supposed serving Senator.
In the press briefing, the women unanimously demanded from Adams Oshiomhole within 48 hours to tender an unreserved apology to Dr. Betsy Obaseki, Gov. Obaseki, family of Obaseki, Edo women and Nigeria women in general.
They added that this kind of unpleasant attitude by the so call leaders is the reason the country is not functioning well. They asserted that it is also the reason the people must continue to canvass for the election of the candidate of the PDP, Dr. Asue Ighodalo to be the governor of Edo State. They described Ighodalo as a man well raised by his parents to love and respect women humanity.
"We rise as women of Edo State, home and abroad, to denounced this shameful conduct of Adams Oshiomhole. We call on all women and couples that have gone through the pain of not bearing a child on time or not having child at all to curse this man".
This has again shown the desperation of Adams Oshiomhole in this forthcoming Edo Governorship election. Because he felt this is the only way he can continue to be relevant politically in the state if his party wins the election.
Obviously, Oshiomhole's present action is geared toward greed and personal interest and not that of Edo people. Therefore, all well meaning Edo indigenes should come out to condemn Oshiomhole on this sacrilegious statement against the first lady of our dear state.
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