#GoAndDie: N2 million gift does not vindicate Oshiomhole – Edo PDP kicks

by ‘Jola Sotubo

widow-oshiomhole

Despite tempers being cooled after a gift of N2 million and a job given to the now popular Edo widow by the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is unsatisfied.

The widow, Joy Ifije, was openly reprimanded by the governor and told to “go and die”, an occurrence which was recorded and attracted widespread public outcry.

Governor Oshiomhole made amends for his act but the Edo PDP has said he has not done enough to wipe away the widow’s shame.

Leadership report

Oshiomhole, apart from empowering the woman with N2 million, also employed her as a member of the state task force against street trading.

However, the Edo State PDP chairman, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, in an exclusive interview with Saturday Independent, described the governor as an imposter who reflected his true character through his reaction to the woman.

He said: “We came up with the video of what transpired 14 days after the event took place. We gave the governor enough time to show remorse but he never did. He told the poor woman to ‘go and die’. It is too bad that such words could be uttered by the governor.

“We are worried and we are of the opinion that anybody in office as governor should show his certificate of sound mental health before he gets certificate of return in future from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Again, it took our initiative to issue a statement in the media, offering the woman N250,000 to empower her as part of our widow endowment fund before the governor turned around to invite her to his office and give her N2 million. Money cannot wipe off the shame and humiliation caused her by Oshiomhole.

“Even when the governor was presenting the N2 million cheque to her, she was subjected to another cruel humiliation by making her to go on her knees. In our culture, it is the person that wronged another fellow that should kneel down begging for forgiveness, not the fellow that was wronged.”

Reacting in a separate interview, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon said: “The Edo PDP is out of tune with reality. They are playing God. I was a member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of PDP, so I can say much about the party and Orbih. It may interest you know that he suffers from verbal diarrhoea.

“We all saw the altercation between the governor with the widow. However, being a democrat, humane and humble person, he acknowledged and apologised that what he said was influenced by anger, and he compensated the woman. To err is human and to forgiveness is divine.

“The altercation was not a reflection of the character of the governor. Show me that Nigerian that has not said worst things in a fit of anger? Governor Oshiomhole comes from the same circumstance with the widow. He believes that when the taxpayers’ money has been expended on infrastructure meant for pedestrians, it is illegal for people to convert such to street trading.”

“He has about five orphans he has adopted as his children living with him in government house. He takes care of them, so he is not a wicked person. He is a kind hearted father,” said the commissioner.

 

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