Toba Owojaiye
In a stirring defense of women’s dignity, the tide of political discourse in Edo State has taken a sharp turn as Ambassador (Chief) Zainab Mohammed, a global women advocate has demanded a public apology from the former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole. This comes in the wake of his reprehensible and misogynistic remarks targeting Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, wife of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Ambassador Zainab Mohammed condemned his behavior, labeling it “a vile and disgraceful act unbecoming of any public servant.” Her statement, which resonated deeply among Nigerian women, minced no words: “Oshiomhole’s remarks are not just offensive; they are the unfiltered utterances of a man whose grip on respect and decency has withered. Such words reflect a mindset that is not only out of touch with modern values but is deeply harmful to the progress of gender equality.”
Ambassador Mohammed, a staunch advocate for women’s rights, further lambasted Oshiomhole’s callousness, stating, “How can a sitting Senator, a former Governor, and a once-respected leader of the Nigerian Labour Congress, stoop so low as to demean a woman in such a barbaric manner? Is this the legacy of leadership he wishes to leave behind?”
The controversy erupted after Oshiomhole, during a media interview, allegedly mocked Mrs. Obaseki’s childlessness—a comment that has since sparked outrage across the state and beyond. Women’s groups, human rights activists, and civil society organizations have united in their condemnation, viewing the remark as an unforgivable attack on the sanctity of womanhood.
“These repugnant comments are not just an insult to Mrs. Obaseki—they are a venomous attack on all women, particularly those who face the challenges of childlessness,” the statement from the women’s coalition read. “Oshiomhole’s words are the embodiment of deep-seated misogyny, and they reveal a man who has lost all sense of humanity and compassion.”
Refusing to let this transgression go unchecked, Ambassador Mohammed demanded a comprehensive and sincere apology from Oshiomhole. She went further to suggest that his alarming outburst is indicative of a mindset unfit for public service. “This is not just a personal insult; it is a direct affront to every woman who has struggled, every woman who has been marginalized, and every woman who deserves respect. We will not allow this to stand.”
“The entire nation is watching closely,” she opined. “The Senator’s response—or lack thereof—will clearly signal where he stands on the fundamental issues of gender equality and respect for all individuals, especially women who have been unjustly maligned by one of their own. The ball is now in his court, and his actions will speak volumes.”
