The political discourse in Edo State took a concerning turn recently following what many have tagged a “sacrilegious outburst” by former governor of Edo State, former Labour leader, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole’s outburst followed a comment made by Edo First Lady, Betsy Obaseki, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign flag-off for the Edo State 2024 election at Ubiaja.
Mrs. Obaseki, while addressing the crowd at the rally held at Ubiaja Township Stadium in Esan South-East Local Government Area, highlighted the importance of having a woman in the Government House. While introducing the wife of the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, Mrs. Obaseki said that among all the candidates contesting for the governorship seat, the PDP candidate was the only one who has a wife.
“Let us vote for the best candidate in this coming election, and I want to introduce the wife. Incidentally, among all the candidates, only one has a wife, and it’s our own party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Only he has a wife. This is the wife, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo,” Mrs. Obaseki said.
“Edo women know that only one candidate has a wife. Better things come to women when there’s a woman in the Government House. All women in Edo, regardless of party, should see the candidate who has a wife. They will take us higher,” she said.
In a swift response, Oshiomhole mocked Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife for being childless. He described the governor’s wife as a barren woman and also claimed that the governor and his wife refused to adopt any child because they do not love children.
Oshiomhole’s comment sparked widespread condemnation, both in and outside Edo. Many said that his reaction was unwarranted, being that Mrs. Obaseki did not mention names, let alone Oshiomhole’s name. They argued that even if she had specifically mentioned the APC candidate as not having a wife, why should Oshiomhole be the one to respond?
A group of Edo women decried Oshiomhole’s comment as a taboo and desecration of Edo land, demanding a public apology from him. The women asked the former governor to apologise to Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, over his recent “childless” comment.
During a protest led by the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Maria Edeko, on Tuesday, the women said that mocking a woman or couple for not bearing a child is unacceptable and warrants a public apology to all women in the state and humanity in general.
“We call on all women and couples that have gone through the pain of not bearing a child on time or not having a child at all to curse this man,” Edeko said on behalf of Edo women.
The women argued that Mrs Obaseki had not made any comment that warranted such a vile response from Oshiomhole. They praised her for her contributions to the state, particularly her efforts to ensure the inclusion and protection of children, women, and vulnerable persons.
The women also commended Governor Obaseki for loving and respecting his wife, describing her as a woman who has demonstrated brilliance, compassion, and foresight in her dealings in the state.
The demand for a public apology is seen as a necessary step to address the harm caused by Oshiomhole’s words and to promote respect and dignity for all individuals, particularly women.
Whether Oshiomhole will apologise or not is still a matter of conjecture. However, as the election draws closer, pundits have advised political gladiators to focus on issues and eschew personal attacks. Edo people deserve better, they said.
