Imo guber: LP candidate, Achonu condemns rising number of widows in Imo, promises better life
Anthony Iwuoma
The Labour Party gubernatorial candidate for November’s governorship poll in Imo State, Sen. Athan Nneji Achonu, has flayed the rising number of widows in the state.
In a statement he personally signed in commemoration of the 2023 Widow’s Day on Friday, Achonu lamented the parlous state of widows due to neglect by relevant authorities.
The statement partly read: “Daily in Imo State, poverty, insecurity, mindless killing of young men by state and non-state actors has exacerbated in the last four years and has continued to bring about hundreds of new widows in Imo State.
“These widows struggle to overcome the sad reality of losing a beloved breadwinner, pay tuition fees alone, face abhorrent widowhood practices, confront the threats that arise from the absence of a father and protector.”
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Achonu also noted that more widows are going through poverty, violence, health issues and conflict-related situations in the state.
“This is a big threat to the survivability of our community, hence unacceptable as we must find a way to reduce the statistics of our men and youth who die daily, leaving our women to become widows.”
The frontline candidate posited that the widows form a critical and resilient part of the ‘humanness’ of our society and make a lot of sacrifices to raise their children.
“We must be intentional in treating them fairly and not exploit their vulnerabilities,” Achonu added and urged his “friends, fans, supporters and indeed every Imolite, to reach out and show empathy and love to the widows in our communities. Give a gift to a widow near you and tag me on any of my SM handles.”
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The LP candidate promised that his government would “support all the widows, including wives of slain police officers in Imo State through strategic support and empowerment programmes, inclusivity and also implement policies that will end discrimination, social stigma and harmful practices if he is elected in November.
He also pledged to stop the extra-judicial killing of husbands and youths in Imo State to prevent more young widows emerging in our communities.
The United Nations and other global leaders had designated June 23 as a day to observe and draw attention to the experiences and plights of widows in our communities.
