Lawyer and human rights activist, Richard Akinnola on Sunday says former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole displayed an act of irresponsibility by labeling Mrs Betsy Obaseki as a barren woman.
In a post on his Facebook page, Akinnola urged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo to distance himself from Oshiomhole’s statement.
According to him, Oshiomhole’s statement may work against Okpebholo’s chances as Benin women don’t joke with issues of labeling a woman as barren
“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”.
“If Senator Monday does not distance himself from this statement, it may work against him among Benin women as the election draws near. It’s an issue Benin women don’t joke with”.
