Betsy Obaseki, the wife of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, has responded to former Governor Adams Oshiomhole recent comment that she and her husband are “childless” and refused to adopt children because they do not love kids.
In a Zoom meeting with Edo women in the diaspora, Betsy Obaseki shared her personal experience of miscarriages, painful stillbirths, and evacuations of babies who died in her womb. She encouraged childless women not to see themselves as barren but as fruitful and potential mothers.
“I have conceived and experienced miscarriages, painful stillbirths, and evacuations of babies who died in my womb,” she said. “You are not barren. I dare to call you fruitful. You and I are potential and proud mothers of children who will come in God’s time.”
Betsy Obaseki emphasized that being fruitful goes beyond childbearing, citing her contributions to society as evidence. She urged women to focus on impacting lives and creating positive change, rather than feeling bad about their challenges.
Oshiomhole’s comment was made in response to Betsy Obaseki’s statement that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, did not have a wife.
Oshiomhole claimed that the Obasekis did not adopt children because they did not love kids, sparking a backlash from Betsy Obaseki and other women.
*History of the feud
The feud between Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki, both former and current governors of Edo State, Nigeria, respectively, has its roots in political differences and power struggles within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Here’s a brief history of the feud:
1. 2016: Oshiomhole, then governor, endorsed Obaseki as his successor, and Obaseki won the election.
2. 2019: Obaseki began to assert his independence, and disagreements arose between him and Oshiomhole, who wanted to maintain control over the state’s politics.
3. 2020: Obaseki defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after being disqualified from running for re-election on the APC ticket due to alleged certificate forgery.
4. 2020: Oshiomhole, then APC National Chairman, supported Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate, against Obaseki in the gubernatorial election. Obaseki won re-election.
5. 2022: Oshiomhole was appointed APC Senatorial candidate for Edo North, while Obaseki supported his opponent, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.
6. September 2024: Oshiomhole made public comments about Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, being “childless” and refusing to adopt children, sparking a public feud.