Ifije
Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday said it had raised N1m for the take-off of a “Widows Empowerment Programme” to help widows in the state.
The party also used the event to present N250, 000 to the widow and mother of four, Joy Ifije, whom Governor Adams Oshiomole scolded penultimate week for blocking the road with her goods, telling her to “go and die.”
Oshiomhole had, however, apologised. He offered a job and N2m gift to the widow on Monday during a tea breakfast with Ifije and her son, Bright.
However, while handing over the money to Oredo Woman Leader, Mrs. Pat West-Erhabor, for onward passage to Ifije, the PDP chairman in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, said the governor’s action was belated.
He said, “It took Edo PDP’s outcry to rouse the governor into action. The gesture is belated.
“Despite the intimidating atmosphere under which she was presented the money, the widow maintained her innocence that she was not trading on the kerb or walkway.
“I also want to say that watching the presentation ceremony, I was disgusted with the governor for subjecting the widow to her knees. If someone is apologising, is it the person you are apologising to that should kneel down?
“Even if the person, out of fear or intimidation, should kneel, you stand and not subject her to humiliation. For us in PDP, N2m will not wipe away the tears of widows in Edo State or even in Nigeria. So far, the PDP has contributed over N1m for our empowerment programme for widows in the state.”
When contacted later in the day, Ifijeh told our correspondent that she had not collected any money from the PDP.
Source: PUNCH.
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