PIQUED by the recent outburst by the Edo state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on the Esama of Benin kingdom and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, women from across the state under the aegis of Concerned Edo Women Tuesday took to the streets of Benin to protest against the governor’s attack on the Igbinedion family.
The women who were half nude and dressed in red attires expressed their displeasure and sadness over what they described as ‘disrespectful utterances by the governor on the Benin chief and father of the erstwhile governor of the state.”
They alleged that the insults melted on the notable Bini Chief is uncalled for noting that the insulting language employed by the state Governor was worrisome and offends the Benin nation, who were very ‘respectful people’ and adore the sterling lifestyle and qualities of their son and Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.
Some of the women who were half nude, exposed some sensitive parts of their bodies as they brandished various placard with inscription such ”Oshiomhole, you are always insulting your elders”,” Go and Beg for Forgiveness”, and “Nemesis will catch up with You” said they decided to show solidarity with the family and patriarch of the Igbinedion family,Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.
The protesting women in their hundreds during the peaceful protest to the King square and other major streets in the state capital, also visited the Emotan Statue where they stopped briefly to express their sadness before the traditional chief priest, who while addressing the women spoke in Bini dialect applauded their effort for deeming it fit to resist evil and rebuke the governor for his unguided statement on the Benin chief and Esama of Benin Kingdom.
“We are women and as mothers, sisters and aunts to Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, we say no to any form of disrespectful behavior for the person of Chief Igbinedion. We as mothers cannot see evil in the land and support it. We are against the action of the governor particularly on Chief Igbinedion and his Household. We want the Governor to apologize to the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Igbinedion. All we are asking the governor is to stop insulting elders from Benin Kingdom, so that we do not completely go naked and place curses on him. “they said in Bini dialect.
On his part, the priest of the Emotan Statue, while receiving the women said the protest was a welcome one as nobody, regardless of his position in state is encouraged to insults Bini chiefs, elders and particularly by way of ridicule, malign and outright disregard for the respected Esama of Benin adding that,” who so ever insults the Bini’s and its high ranking chiefs is drawing the wrath of the gods and will not go unpunished.” he said.
Source: Vanguard