Husband: “Gunmen killed my wife after she cast her first ballot.”

 

Owie Osadebamen, the husband of Elizabeth Osadebamwen, who was fatally shot on February 25 while voting in Edo State for the National Assembly and the presidential elections, expresses his sorrow to ADEYINKA ADEDIPE.

 

What connection do you have to the deceased?

 

I go by the name Owie Osadebamen. My wife was the late Elizabeth Owie Osadebamwen. We first met when I was employed by a bank more than ten years ago. She was a client at the time and always made a big entrance into the banking hall. We began conversing and developing a relationship. Our wedding day was September 14, 2013.

 

How would you characterize her?

 

She was a devoted member of her family and valued the institution of the family. She was pleasant, giving, vivacious, and enjoyable to be around. She was always happy. I thought I was generous before I met her, but it turns out she is more giving than I am. She prioritized helping others and was always willing to do so. Despite the loss of their mother, she was a wonderful mother who was adored by her children, who are still wonderful today.

 

Was she politically engaged or a party supporter?

 

She never participated in politics. But this time, she made the decision to cast her ballot in order to take part in the movement to change the nation for the better. She went to the polls to support Peter Obi. She voted for the first time that day.

 

Was she an advocate for the “Obidient” cause?

 

She was a part of the Obidient movement, but as far as I am aware, she was not a member of any support groups. She was an ardent advocate for Obi.

 

What led you to believe that she was an ardent Obi supporter?

 

She used to always ask people who they would vote for whenever she met them. She used to spend a lot of time explaining why it was important for people to support the candidate of the Labour Party to those who did not support Obi. She also urged people to obtain permanent voter cards, and in order to vote, she had to move her polling location from our previous home to the Ogheghe region.

 

Can you remember the last time you were with her?

 

She greeted me when she awoke that morning, cleaned the house, and then went to her polling place to cast her ballot. After speaking with her, she changed her mind and decided to ride a motorcycle to the event instead of walking. When she left her house that morning, there was no indication that it might be the last time I saw her. I anticipated her return because it was a typical day, but sadly, she was killed that day.

 

How did you learn of her passing?

 

On that fateful day, I tried to call her in the afternoon, but she didn’t pick up. She said she had voted when she called back and that she would return home later, but she never did. I learned the news sometime between 7:30 and 8 that evening. The incident definitely took place earlier than that.

 

Who informed you of her passing?

 

One of my late wife’s adopted daughters answered the phone and handed it to me. The individual claimed to have heard rumors that my wife’s murderers broke into the polling place where she cast her ballot.

 

How did you discover her body?

 

Some people were still there when I arrived (at the voting unit), and they led me to where her body was. I took her to two hospitals because I thought she was still alive, but both turned us down.

 

Where was her death declared?

She was later declared dead at the Edo Specialist Hospital after I had taken her there.

 

When you arrived at the scene of the incident, was she still alive?

 

Because it was hard for me to accept that she was dead, I continued to believe that she was still alive. I insisted that she was still alive and that they should take action even after they declared her dead at the specialized hospital. However, they chose not to because they had already established her demise.

 

Did you notify the police about the incident, and if so, what steps did they take?

 

Actually, my family members reported the incident to the police at the Sapele Road police station near Christ Embassy instead of me. They were informed that force headquarters had received the case.

 

What has changed recently in this case?

 

Well, given their political nature, we are all aware of how cases like this are handled. The police asserted that the incident was being looked into and that the offenders would face justice.

 

How is the news of your late wife’s passing being received by her family?

Although her parents have passed away, her brother, sister, and aunts share my sorrow. Her children have a tendency to be moody, but they must remain strong for the sake of their education and to honor their late mother.

 

The state government and a few Labour Party leaders paid you condolence visits. What sort of assistance do you receive from them?

 

The Labour Party is silent on the matter. They have not contacted me in any way. I did learn, though, that the governor had pledged to provide the family with N2m. And after the governor made his announcement, everyone who had initially wanted to assist with the effort withdrew. However, the government has yet to fulfill its promise as of right now.

 

Has your wife’s passing changed how you feel about Nigerian elections and voting as a civic duty?

 

Citizens must fulfill this obligation, but they must exercise caution because some voters have ulterior motives when they attend polling places. After casting your ballot, you can leave if you know you won’t be able to wait. If you choose to remain in the voting area while there is an uprising, leave the area as soon as possible. It will be challenging for me to participate in any upcoming elections.

 

Do you have any leads on the suspect(s) or the group(s) responsible for the crime?

 

I have no knowledge of the perpetrators and have no reason to suspect an individual or group, but I am hopeful that they will be apprehended and prosecuted. To make sure that the family has support, I need the public’s help. For me, it won’t be simple.

 

Do you have any plans to pursue justice for her in any way?

 

A million-man march is what we have planned for her. The strategy is in place, and once it is polished, we will make it known. As many people have been calling me from domestic and international numbers to inquire about what is being done to apprehend the offenders, we will also use the march to demand justice.

 

What day is her funeral?

 

In one of the properties I bought, I’ll bury her remains. Hopefully, her Delta State relatives will accept this and allow her to be buried here (in Edo).

(TNT)