by ‘Jola Sotubo

The attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo to donate N250,000 to a widow who was berated by the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has been rebuffed.

The widow, Joy Ifijeh, came into the limelight after a video of her begging to be spared by the governor went viral and caused widespread outrage across the country.

Mrs. Ifijeh was absent at the launch of a widow’s charity at which she was to be presented with the PDP’s gift. She, however, received Governor Oshiomhole’s gift of N2 million.

The Nation reports:

Mrs. Ifijeh, who apologised to Governor Oshiomhole for putting her goods on the road, was given automatic employment and a cash gift of N2 million by the governor.

The state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said they launched the Widows Empowerment Programme because the party had received N1 million since it posted the video clip of the governor’s encounter with the widow on facebook and YouTube.

He described the governor’s job offer and the cash gift as a ‘Greek gift’ that would not wipe the tears of widows in the state.

Orbih presented the N250,000 to Mrs. Pat Erhabor for onward transmission to Mrs. Ifijeh and made a personal donation of N50, 000 towards the widows’ fund.