'Bloody widow' comment doesn't reflect my values - Dumelo releases official statement

John Dumelo, the NDC parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, has issued a detailed apology for his comment against Lydia Alhassan during a live TV show.

The politician had in one sentence apologised for his 'bloody widow' comment after it triggered a backlash from a section of the public, some of whom described him as uncivilised.

Twelve hours after that apology which read, "I apologize and retract the comments I made earlier on today on tv3", Dumelo shared a longer post on X.

According to him, the comment does not reflect his values or what he stands for.

In the official statement, Dumelo explained that his response was triggered by accusations from his opponent’s supporters, who alleged, among others, that he was responsible for his mother's death.

However, he acknowledged that his reaction was not appropriate.

His post read: “I extend my sincere and unconditional apologies to Hon. Lydia Alhassan for my remarks during the Media General public engagement (Community Manifesto) concerning the death of her husband. To everyone who knows me, both in my private life and political activities, it is clear that those statements do not reflect my values or what I stand for.

"My comments were in response to personal attacks by supporters of the honorable minister, including false allegations regarding my mother’s death. However, I recognize that my reaction was inappropriate,” he posted on X.

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Background

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 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."

His comment did not sit well with some social media users, particularly on X, who have descended on the actor-turned-politician.

The 2019 bloody widow tag

In February 2019, some members of the Minority waved papers which read “bloody widow” before they boycotted Lydia Alhassan’s swearing-in.

This, they argued, was in protest of the violence that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election. Lydia Alhassan, the wife of New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, Emmanuel Boakye Agyarko, became a legislator on the ticket of the party following the demise of her husband.

Below is Dumelo's full apology:

Public Apology

I apologize and unreservedly retract my previous comments.

I extend my sincere and unconditional apologies to Hon. Lydia Alhassan for my remarks during the Media General public engagement (Community Manifesto) concerning the death of her husband.

To everyone who…

— Farmer John (@johndumelo) August 29, 2024