NIGERIANS have taken to social media to lambast Edo State’s former governor, Adams Oshiomole, for calling the state’s incumbent governor and wife childless.
Oshiomhole, who led the state between 2008 and 2016, is currently a serving senator representing Edo North Senatorial District.
In an interview that has gone viral on social media, the federal lawmaker said his successor, Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, were childless and had refused to adopt children.
“I was shocked yesterday to see Mrs Obaseki, the First Lady, saying that our candidate had no wife. I am sorry she had to say that because here is a woman who has no child.
“Between him and Obaseki, they have no child. They are childless. They are even not ready to adopt. I don’t blame anybody who shouldn’t have a child. But people who have love for children go to motherless homes and adopt children. They have not adopted. They are both in their 60s.
“Their marriage, I don’t know whether it’s a contract or whatever it is but they have no child. Our candidate not only has children, he has invested in the education of those children.
He said among the children are a lawyer and a doctor.
Reacting to this, some Nigerians described his claims as distasteful and falling short of what was expected from a leader.
A senior journalist, Richard Akinola, wrote on Facebook, “Politics would come and go but it is utterly irresponsible for Adams Oshiomhole to mock the First Lady of Edo, Mrs Obaseki as being barren, as a riposte to Mrs Obaseki who said the APC governorship candidate has no wife.
“Not getting married or divorced is a matter of choice but not having a child in African context is beyond individual couples. That is in the hands of God. Oshiomhole even went ahead to state that apart from being barren, the Obasekis refused to adopt, meaning they don’t like children.
“How does he want the parent of Mrs Obaseki to feel? This is the height of irresponsibility by someone who is over 70, just because of politics. Does Oshiomhole know where the paths of his children would cross tomorrow where this statement would be made to confront them?
“We need to be careful about some statements we make at the twilight of our lives which would become crosses to be carried by children and grandchildren. Oshiomhole should apologise to the Obasekis for this faux pas.”
Similarly, one X user, @LawrenceokoroPG said “Adams Oshiomhole is successfully using his mouth to destroy the candidacy of his candidate just as he did with Ize-lyamu in 2020. Edo has decided to stand firm against Oshiomhole and his high desire for godfatherism”.
Another user, @sales_unwana wrote, “Oshiomhole’s remark is a stark reminder of how low politics can get. Instead of addressing the issues, we’re tearing each other down over personal matters that have nothing to do with governance. This kind of rhetoric only serves to divide and distract.”
@afia_visials also added, “Politics in Nigeria is a very mad game. When this guy was campaigning for Obaseki. He didn’t realise that he had no children. Today the is talking about it on national TV. This is a very silly thing to say about someone. This isn’t politics anymore.”
The statement by Oshiomhole followed the comment by the state’s First Lady during the governorship elections campaign of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
The ICIR reports that the Edo State gubernatorial elections will be held on September 21.