Women from across Edo State under the aegis of Concerned Edo Women on Tuesday took to the streets of Benin to protest against the recent outburst by the Edo state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on the Esama of Benin kingdom and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion.
The women who were half-unclad, with red attires on the covered parts of their bodies, 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 meted 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’.
The protesting women in their hundreds during the peaceful protest to the King square and other major streets in the state capital, 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”. They also visited the Emotan Statue where they stopped briefly to express their sadness before the traditional chief priest.
“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 unclad and place curses on him,” the women said in Bini dialect.
On his part, the priest of the Emotan Statue, while receiving the women said the protest was a welcome development 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”.
