by Ehis Robert

Seeking relief, the woman informed the Governor that she was a widow and asked him to forgive her, and then the Governor’s callous words: ”If you are widow, go and die.”

The Esans of Edo State have a saying: “You can never gather at the same market twice.”

The import of the above is that since one can never meet or access the same set of people in a market twice, it behoves of him/her to watch what he or she says in the market. It is for this reason insult and careless words spoken at the market place are never easily forgotten or forgiven. There are some whose impression about the insulted and the slandered would never change since they may never witness the reconciliation or settlement between the parties.

The recent encounter between the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole, and a widow is one of the most despicable show of power by a Governor whose political base used to be the masses.

The governor who was on a sanitation tour encountered the widow, selling her wares clearly on the road. Now, the woman’s action was wrong. She obviously realised this and instantly fell on her knees to plead with the governor. A close study of a video of the incident would show that the government officials accompanying Oshiomhole, apparently touched by her pleading and wailing, were clearly hesitant to obey his order that her goods be seized.

Seeking relief, the woman informed the governor that she was a widow and asked him to forgive her, and then the governor’s callous words: “If you are widow, go and die.”

He went ahead to have her goods confiscated.

The video has since gone viral and lots of reactions have trailed the governor’s odorous and odious comment.

Sensing that he had committed a public relations disaster, the governor, while receiving a delegation of Muslim women, reportedly apologised for his comment and informed his guests that he said the words out of anger. Watching the video of the apology one would notice the indifference of the women.

Well, no sir, Mr. Governor; that is not an apology. You apologise to those you offend not those who are seeking favour from you.

The proper person to apologise to is the poor widow. She must be sought out and publicly (not secretly) apologised to. She must also be allowed to express her will to accept the apology or not. Above all, she must be compensated. Her goods must be returned to her and a token given to her.

Now if the governor thinks this is too much, then he needs to remember that the woman falls among the three set of people who the Almighty God forbids anyone to maltreat; these are: the orphans, the widow and the needy. God declared that these three set of people were his personal concern and that he would fight for them. The reactions that have trailed the governor’s comments show that God is already in action.

If Governor Oshiomole still thinks this is a joke, he should ask former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, the outcome of his encounter with a widow.

God bless Edo State.

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