In the recent riposte exchange between the Edo State First Lady, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, I am bemused by the unbridled demagoguery rising to a crescendo, raising condensed passions with numerous interpretations. Tempers were raised by the twists and turns the matter had taken and opinions were moulded, depending on where the pendulum of support swung.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
The First Lady, in her response to Oshiomole, then issued a statement and tried to use ruse to bring in some women whom she referred to as barren women, to sort of ingratiate herself with them, to get them to espouse her candidate.
They should be asking her, “what have you done for me lately?” Until Oshiomole responded to her most unguarded talk, did she ever in her eight years, try to mollify these said women or try to ameliorate their predicament by even small means? Did she ever associate with them?
Or did she take it for granted that like her, as suggested by Oshiomole’s advice they too have no interest in children or their betterment. Adams Oshiomhole’s statement was not rendered in such heartless verbiage: with the caveat that followed his description of the First Lady’s childless reality, he made it clear that being childless was not the issue, and he said he didn’t blame her for it, because it is of God and not man to give children.
He then seized the opportunity to warn Edo parents about the antipathy and animus the First Lady has against children, which is evinced in her attitude towards them; opening their eyes to the possibility that the wife of Betsy’s candidate may espouse her askance disposition to children.
In contemporary times, adopting children is not limited to just completing a family, it goes beyond that. It is a way of being philanthropic and magnanimous and way of helping society.
Since it is not possible to assess her love and disposition to children because of her reality, including the fact that she did not while in office draw children towards her, he was warning Edo parents that their children may be relegated, if Asue is given a chance; because his sponsor has shown no sign of love for children or their importance.
There are so many couples in the Obaseki’s fate who have showed love for children and it is still a mystery how and why they haven’t. Indeed this worrisome position was kept ensconced in hearts and minds because of its sensitive nature, but had to be revealed when it looked like a critical danger.
Oshiomole, must have understood her proclamation of her candidate being the only contestant with a wife to mean that this is the couple that will stand against children.
In his response, he decided to tactfully warn that even those who have wives have not shown interest in children, making direct reference to the First Lady’s inability to evince any regard for children. In Oshiomhole’s submission, there was a caveat.
By the time we woke up the next day, the narrative had taken a different dimension and caution was thrown to the wind. Emotions were scavenged from the gutters, tempers were let loose, and vituperative slings were freely exchanged in the court of public opinion. Please let us not take things out of context.
To even mention that someone has a wife, or does not, is most indecent. Let all take note that the manner in which Oshiomhole delivered his riposte was not to berate, mock or ridicule the First Lady, it was only by way of warning to mothers and parents in Edo State.
It is not news to anybody in Edo State that the First Lady has no children and has not shown love enough to Edo children; first, there are no priors that the First Lady has any pet project for Edo children; yet they are mouthed as the leaders of tomorrow, the Edo Best School Project which her husband embarked on has now been revealed to have been part of a tack to get monies from the World Bank.
Oshiomhole was warning that if all are considered together, it is apparent that the Obaseki couple has a deliberate animus against children or what some may call an occultic disposition against children.
The subject of marrital status of a candidate as a campaign weapon is gutter politics as some put it. We know that there are people who may not necessarily want to hear the cries of babies in their home; but such persons are often viewed as weird and viewed askance even if the gossips are rendered in quiet tones.
You will always hear the murmurs in the village square about such persons. So, with the ascribed riches of the Obasekis, both Governor and First Lady, a lot may come to mind. We who believe in God and know that He does what He will do, know personal lives and living must be kept quite apart for electioneering.
Gutter politics is to say the least shameful. Recall that on September 17, 2016 when the campaigns for Godwin Obaseki for Governor was rife, Betsy Obaseki had reportedly made a state ment that precipitated blow-ups that dominated public discourse at that time: as an APC member, she had accused the PDP of destroying the fabric of the society, thus sending our women outside the country for prostitution.
Those in the PDP then condemned her indignation for calling Edo women prostitutes, and demanded an unreserved apology from her for making such an awful statement. Evelyn Igbafe, of blessed memory, a chieftain of the PDP at that time, was livid with anger when she held a press conference to lampoon the incoming First Lady, as it were, during that faux pas.
Despite Betsy Obaseki’s rebuttal, claiming that she was quoted out of context, the ire remained with those women for long, and they expected her to start a pet project that would resonate with women and children; especially those that are into the prostitution she referred to.Till date, we can’t place a hand on any visible pet project.
Again, just last week, she tried to denigrate the people whom she called the Kukuruku people of Afemai tribe; not even showing respect for their staunch acolyte, Chief Mike Ogiadhome, who was in their midst.
He is one of us, he is a Kukuruku man, of inimitable political stature. Betsy Obaseki clearly does not know our culture and people. She shows signs of disdain for other cultures and people of Edo State. I am a proud Kukuruku man from Okpella.
That is my root; that is our root. Our people say there is no smoke without fire. Betsy Obaseki should apply decorum and caution in her public utterances to avoid mud slinging that may not sit well with her. If you don’t like water, avoid going to the village stream.
