Personalities and political commentators have criticized the recent comments made by the former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole about Ifeyinwa, the wife of the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Oshiomhole rebuked his successor’s wife, Betsy Obaseki after she made negative remarks about the other governorship candidate.

During the PDP’s campaign flag-off at the Ubiaja Township Stadium in Esan South-East Local Government Area, Obaseki stated that Ighodalo was the only contender with a wife among the candidates for the state governorship election.

Obaseki, while introducing Ifeyinwa to the crowd, emphasized the importance of having a woman in the Government House.

Oshiomhole, however, faulted the comment by the First Lady in an interview with TVC.

He stated that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has children in whom he has invested their education, adding that their mother joined them at recent campaigns.

“I was shocked yesterday to see Mrs Obaseki, the first lady, saying our (APC) candidate has no wife. She is the most…I’m sorry she had to say that because here is a woman who has no child,” Mr Oshiomhole told reporters. “Between him(sic) and Obaseki, they are childless.”

The senator further criticized the First Lady as being incapable of loving children due to her and her husband’s unwillingness to adopt children from the orphanage despite being married for many years.

Oshiomhole explained that he had no qualms against people who do not have children but that couples who genuinely love children would have opted for adoption as an alternative.

“They are not even ready to adopt. I don’t blame anyone if you don’t have a child, but people who have love for children, they go to motherless homes and adopt children. They have not adopted, they are both in their sixties,” Mr Oshiomhole stressed.

The reaction by the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been criticized by Nigerians on social media and some prominent stakeholders.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, wrote in a post on Instagram, "My very dear Egbon Comrade Adams, sir. I have watched this video endlessly and to say I'm shocked and mortified at how low you sank is to put it mildly. I pray you will find the courage to apologize publicly for this horrendous tantrum. It is never a crime to be childless. You could have simply said your candidate has a wife and children and left it there, but you went too far in this diatribe. Is it more than politics?"

Arise TV anchors Rufai Oseni, Dr. Reuben Abati, and Ayo Mairo-Ese condemned the actions of the former governor in their commentary on the "What's Trending" segment of the morning show on Monday, September 2, urging him to apologize for his remarks.

Speaking, Dr. Abati said: "I sympathize with the people of Edo State. At a time when the main subject should be how roads should be fixed, how many jobs should be created, and how examination certificate performance can be encouraged, the big story that is coming outside Edo State is about personal insult. Ahead of the September 21 process, we have seen the whole campaign process degenerate to the level of gutter politics."

He added: "At his level, he is mature enough to know sentiments, cultural sentiments in Africa. I think he owes Mrs Betsy Obaseki an apology and that apology should be offered publicly."

Ayo Mario-Ese said: "That was taking it too far from the end of Adam Oshiomhole. We dont even know who is contesting now, is it Senator Adam Oshiomhole who is coming for a third term, or Senator Monday who was the person in question and it seems like his spokesperson and the mouthpiece have spoken in response?

She added: "It is a choice if people have children or choose not to have children for whatever reason, you shouldn't question their love for children or insult them based on that. I felt that was gutter politics and I believe in other places. it would have cost them a vote in Edo State."

Rufai Oseni said: "To me, it's a return to the days of madness in our politics. I just had to bring an incite into it. At first, the person who said the only candidate that has a wife was also wrong. Should it be a conversation about who has or dont have a wife or the development of Edo State? And Adams Osiomhole, I am not surprised o, that is his nature. Is it not Oshiomhole that told a widow to go and die? Have you forgotten that incident when he was governor? But this just shows you the type of gutter madness that we have in our political system."