An Ondo state gender-based group, Society for Women Empowerment (SWE), has appealed to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to initiate a probe into the wife battery report against the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, even at the women warned the people the State against supporting the aspiration of Aiyedatiwa to secure a fresh mandate in the November 2024 gubernatorial election.
The group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mrs Damilola Charles, also called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Ganduje, to critically examine the importance of a happy and peaceful home in the productivity of men.
It will be recalled that the SWE had in June last year accused Aiyedatiwa of beating his wife, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa.
The group in its latest statement particularly urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to give its ticket to Aiyedatiwa, adding that a man who can’t run his home can’t run the state successfully.
”The good people of Ondo state and by extension, the country, can now confirm that Governor Aiyedatiwa was assaulting his wife frequently. The poor woman, has now returned to the United Kingdom permanently. She has forsaken the perks and benefits of being a First Lady
“We have amplified this situation severally. Our concerns, as mothers, have now shifted to the well-being of the people of Ondo state. We are concerned about the pedigree of man who assaults his wife and failed to keep a home.
“They say a blissful home creates a peaceful society. The situation in Ondo State negates this beautiful assertion. The number one citizen of the state, Aiyedatiwa has no wife at home. Hence, no home. The anointing of the bliss that’s supposed to run from the home and head of the leader of the state is lacking and obviously absent.
“It will amount to an aberration to entrust the affairs of the state to a man who couldn’t keep his home. We are calling on the mother of the Nation, Senator Remi Tinubu to investigate the situation in Ondo. A wife beater should have no place in the affairs of the country.
“At this age and time, when we are fighting domestic violence, a governor of a state like Ondo or any other state in the country for that matter should not be seen as a poster boy for domestic violence. It’s unacceptable.
“The events of the last few months have shown that Governor Aiyedatiwa has no regard for women. Despite the momentum of the campaigns ahead of the primary elections, and the fact that other aspirants are already moving around with their wives, the absence of Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa is conspicuous.
“Governance is a serious business. While there are no special hand book on how to run the state, there are specific factors and indications that show the preparedness and competence of the seeker of the office. Effective management of the home front is the propeller for effectiveness, efficiency and productivity. A man who can’t run his home, can’t run the state.” the women group maintained.
Recall that the governor’s wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Esther Aiyedatiwa, had in June 2023, cried out over alleged beatings she suffered in the hands of her husband.
A Street Journal, had quoted her as saying that her husband, then the deputy governor, had turned her into punching bag with daily rounds of beatings.
The publication of a quoted Mrs Aiyedatiwa as saying, “I have endured physical, mental abuse from my husband…
“…prior to Lucky’s appointment as deputy governor, we had ongoing issues revolving around abusive behaviour. Each time he would apologize, often attributing his actions to alcohol. Our children have witnessed this on two occassions.
“They implored me to have him arrested, but I explained that Nigerian culture does not provide room for such measures.
“I have endured physical, emotional and mental abuse from my husband – beatings, torture, and constant mistreatment.”
Mrs Aiyedatiwa has since reportedly relocated to the United Kingdom following the recorded cases of domestic violence .
