As the saying goes, “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” The tale of Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor of Edo State and now senator representing Edo North, underlines the disturbing disparity between public image and personal conduct. While he was often hailed for his political triumphs, Oshiomhole’s time in office was marred by scandalous behaviour that speaks volumes about his moral compass.
Oshiomhole’s conduct behind the high walls of the Edo State Government House in Benin City was nothing short of shameful. While his late wife, Eunice Oshiomhole, was bravely battling cancer in the United States, her husband was reportedly indulging in scandalous escapades.
The most appalling aspect of Oshiomhole’s behaviour as governor was his alleged relationships with teenage girls while his wife was fighting for her life. The same Government House that should have been a symbol of dignity and leadership turned into a stage for Oshiomhole’s unsavoury frolics. Teenagers, many of them girls still trying to navigate their way through life, were reportedly frequent visitors to the corridors of power. Their presence was a clear indicator of the kind of indulgences that Oshiomhole prioritized. These weren’t just mere rumours, multiple insiders have spoken about the governor’s escapades.
While his wife Eunice was undergoing treatment for cancer in the United States, Oshiomhole was allegedly entertaining young women in Edo’s seat of power. “A man who cannot be loyal to his dying wife cannot be trusted to be loyal to his people,” a close associate who witnessed the moral decay firsthand said. Such conduct speaks to an individual driven by self-gratification, indifferent to the emotions and well-being of those around him.
The public may recall that Oshiomhole often donned the image of a man of the people, an advocate for the masses. But the hypocrisy in his actions was palpable. How can a man claim to fight for justice and fairness in the streets of Edo when he was engaging in immoral acts in the privacy of his office? The contrast between his public persona and private life was very disturbing.
Eunice Oshiomhole, by all accounts, was a kind-hearted, intelligent woman who had stood by Oshiomhole during his political rise. Her battle with cancer should have been a time when her husband remained steadfast by her side, providing the emotional support she so desperately needed. Instead, Oshiomhole chose to indulge in shameful liaisons that expose his lack of compassion.
It is one thing to be unfaithful in a relationship; it is another to be unfaithful while your partner is facing a life-threatening illness. As the moralist William Penn once said, “Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.” In this case, Oshiomhole was far more concerned with his fleeting pleasures than with the well-being of his wife. His actions during this period represent not just a betrayal of Eunice but a betrayal of the values of loyalty, love, and empathy.
Tragically, Eunice succumbed to her illness, and her death, rather than evoking reflection or remorse in Oshiomhole, seemed to unleash his true nature for the public to see. It was as though the thin veneer of decency he had maintained as a governor finally gave way, revealing a man entirely motivated by his base desires.
Barely months after Eunice’s passing, Oshiomhole’s philandering nature took centre stage once again. This time, he showcased his disregard for public perception by marrying Iara, a much younger air hostess from Cape Verde. The speed with which Oshiomhole moved on from his grieving wife raised eyebrows across the country, and the age difference between him and Iara did little to quell the public’s scepticism.
As many observed, Oshiomhole’s choice to marry Iara seemed like an attempt to whitewash his image after the whispers of infidelity became too loud to ignore. But this union, as hastily formed as it was, quickly unravelled.
Within three years, Iara was gone, having reportedly had enough of Oshiomhole’s uncontrollable womanizing habits. Sources close to the couple remarked that Iara initially believed she could tame Oshiomhole’s ways, but it soon became clear that she was dealing with a man devoid of moral restraint.
“The character of a man is often revealed not in how he acts when things are going well, but in how he behaves when faced with temptation,” a political analyst said while speaking on Oshiomhole’s actions. Oshiomhole failed the test of character repeatedly, and his marriage to Iara was just another casualty of his insatiable desires.
It is one thing for a man in private life to indulge in immoral acts; it is quite another for a public servant, a leader entrusted with the hopes and dreams of millions, to conduct himself in such a manner. Oshiomhole’s behaviour wasn’t just a personal failing, it was a public betrayal of the people of Edo State. The same people who looked up to him for leadership and integrity were instead served a man who saw no problem in using his position to satisfy his base desires.
As Oshiomhole transitioned from governor to senator, one might have hoped that age and experience would bring wisdom and restraint. Yet, his tenure as a senator has been equally filled with controversies, further proving that a man without moral foundations cannot be expected to change. “A thief is a thief, no matter the size of his house,” goes the old proverb. And in Oshiomhole’s case, it appears that the trappings of power have only emboldened his lack of integrity.
When history looks back at Adams Oshiomhole, what will be remembered? His achievements as a labour leader? His time as governor of Edo State? Or will the scandals that have so thoroughly defined his personal life overshadow any political accomplishments? Oshiomhole’s story is a cautionary tale of how unchecked desires can lead a man astray, no matter how high he rises in the political ranks. His inability to control his philandering ways, even in the face of his wife’s illness, and his subsequent hasty marriage to Iara, only to be left by her shortly after, demonstrate a man who lacks the moral fortitude expected of a leader.
As the saying goes, “The measure of a man is what he does with power.” In Oshiomhole’s case, power only served to amplify his weaknesses. And no matter how many speeches he gives or the political positions he holds, his legacy will always be tainted by the scandals of his personal life.
For the people of Edo State and Nigeria, Adams Oshiomhole serves as a reminder that true leadership goes beyond political prowess, it requires character, integrity, and a moral compass that points toward justice and decency. Oshiomhole, unfortunately, has shown little of these qualities.
Odefe, a child rights advocate, writes from Ekpoma, Edo state.
Author credits goes to By Itohan Odefe
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