Former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole has publicly criticized Betsy Obaseki, the wife of his successor, Governor Godwin Obaseki, labeling her as a woman incapable of loving children due to her decision not to adopt a child, despite being in her 60s and childless.
Oshiomhole argued that Mrs. Obaseki, who is married to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governor, lacks the moral authority to criticize Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for not being married. According to Oshiomhole, Mrs. Obaseki had previously mocked Okpebholo’s unmarried status in an attempt to undermine his credibility as the November gubernatorial elections draw near.
Expressing his dismay at Mrs. Obaseki’s remarks, Oshiomhole stated, “I was shocked yesterday to see Mrs. Obaseki, the First Lady, commenting on our (APC) candidate not having a wife. It’s unfortunate she made such a statement because she herself is a woman without children.” He continued, “Both she and Governor Obaseki are childless.”
Oshiomhole further criticized the First Lady for her alleged lack of empathy towards children, accusing her and her husband of being unwilling to adopt from orphanages despite their longstanding marriage. He clarified that he does not hold prejudice against those who are childless but emphasized that couples who genuinely love children would consider adoption. “They have not even considered adoption. I don’t blame anyone for not having children, but those who truly care for children often turn to orphanages to adopt. They haven’t done so, and they are both in their sixties,” Oshiomhole remarked. “I’m not sure if there’s some agreement or what the situation is, but the fact remains that they have no child,” he added.
Oshiomhole used this opportunity to promote the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo, describing him as a family man who deeply values children and has heavily invested in their education. He noted that Okpebholo’s children have achieved significant academic success, with his first child becoming a lawyer and his second a medical doctor. “Our candidate not only has children, but he has also made significant investments in their education. You could see this on live television, covered by various media outlets, where his first child, a lawyer, and his second, a medical doctor, spoke to the crowd in Edo South, Edo Central, and the North, with their mother present,” Oshiomhole proudly shared.
Recall that Oshiomhole and Obaseki were once political allies, with Oshiomhole endorsing Obaseki as his successor in 2016. However, their relationship soured, leading to Obaseki’s defection from the APC to the PDP in 2020, under which he was re-elected for a second term.
