The Widows Association of the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency has condemned the NDC parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso, John Setor Dumelo, for what they describe as derogatory comments against the Member of Parliament, Lydia Seyram Alhassan.

In a statement dated August 29, 2024, and signed by members of the association, they stated that the allegation made by Dumelo, which implied that Lydia Alhassan was responsible for her husband’s death, was deeply offensive to all widows and women across the country.

Additionally, they said that Dumelo’s remarks are an affront to the dignity of widows nationwide.

“During a public program organized by TV3, Mr. Dumelo made an egregious and unsubstantiated allegation that Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan was responsible for the death of her late husband, an accusation that is not only unfounded but also deeply offensive to all widows and women across the nation. This reprehensible statement is an affront to the dignity of widows, who already face significant emotional and societal challenges after the loss of their spouses,” parts of the statement read.

The statement further expressed the association’s commitment to support and stand by Lydia Alhassan if she decides to take legal action to defend her reputation and seek justice.

The statement follows John Dumelo’s heavy backlash from the public.

During a TV3 community watch programme, Dumelo stated that the supporters of the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources were mocking him for taking a state car, hence his anger towards Lydia Alhassan.

He said, “I want to say something. I can see their supporters have been mentioning V8, V8, V8. If that is the case, then it is also fair to say that maybe Lydia is the one who killed her husband to become an MP. That is it because if they want to go that tangent, I can also go the same tangent. If they want to go that tangent, I will go the same tangent because this time around, it is boot for boot.”

"You cannot decide to be a bloody widow to be a Member of Parliament."

Dumelo has since issued an apology and retracted his comments.

Read the full statement from the Widows Association below:



MAG/OGB