Some Nigerians have decended on Senator Adams Oshiomhole for mocking Edo state First Lady, Betsy Obaseki, of being childless and refusing to adopt a child.
The Edo state first lady at a campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Ubiaja Township Stadium in Esan South-East Local Government Area, alleged that only the PDP's candidate, Asue Ighodalo has a wife among the contenders taking part in the state governorship election.
She made the remark while introducing Ighodalo’s wife, Ifeyinwa, to the crowd, emphasising the importance of having a woman in the Government House.
Reacting Oshiomhole said: "I was shocked yesterday to hear Mrs Obaseki saying that our candidate has no wife. I'm sorry to say this, but here is a woman who has no child. Between she and her husband, they have no child, they are childless. They are not even ready to adopt.
"I don't blame anybody who does not have a child, but people who have love for children go to motherless babies' homes to adopt. But they are not ready to adopt, and they are both in their 60s.
“Our candidate not only has children; he has invested in the education of those children. The first one that spoke is a lawyer, the second one is a medical doctor, and they addressed the crowd in Edo South, Edo Central, and Edo North; and their mother was there."
While reacting, some Nigerians on social media describe Oshiomhole's statement as reckless and insensitive, saying children come from God and that the former Edo State Governor went too low because of politics.
They recalled that it was the same Adams Oshiomole who told a widow to go and die while he was the state's governor because she was hawking her goods on the streets.
A Facebook user, Aromina Nina, said his statement is unacceptable and called on Edo women to demand an apology from Oshiomhole "for his insensitive remarks".
Another Facebook user, Mathew Ogbechi, said, "I watched the video with dismay and resentment. His comments were very hurtful and unfortunate. It shows the kind of leaders we have. Oshiomhole's continued presence in the politics of Edo is a great disservice to people of the state."
