By Muhammad Mamman
The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has condemned in strong terms the disturbing widowhood practice locally referred to as the “corpse water” ritual, describing it as inhumane, degrading and unacceptable in a modern society.
The practice, reported in some communities across the state, allegedly compels widows to drink or bathe with water used in cleaning the corpse of their late husbands as part of traditional mourning rites. Human rights advocates and women’s groups have long campaigned for its abolition, calling it a gross violation of human dignity and a relic of harmful cultural norms.
Governor Uzodimma, reacting to growing public outrage, directed security agencies and the Ministry of Women Affairs to launch an immediate investigation into the reported incidents. He vowed that anyone found to be involved in enforcing or promoting the practice would face the full weight of the law.
“This barbaric act has no place in our society. My administration will not tolerate any tradition or custom that demeans womanhood or inflicts emotional and physical pain on widows,” the governor said.
He also pledged to work with traditional rulers, community leaders, and religious institutions to sensitise the public and eradicate such dehumanising practices across Imo State.
Women’s rights organisations have since welcomed the governor’s swift intervention, urging him to back his statement with concrete legal and social reforms that will permanently protect widows from harmful cultural practices.
The government’s probe is expected to uncover the extent of the practice and recommend measures to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
