By Ayodele Oni
The office of First Lady, though not constitutionally recognized, has drawn Benue-based socio-cultural group, the Ochetohak’idoma Youth Wing Worldwide against Governor Hyacinth Alia, as the group insisted that the wife of the Deputy Governor should occupy the ceremonial role.
The group position followed the designation of Hon. Scolastica Bem-Sor as the First Lady of Benue state by the governor.
Alia, as a Catholic Priest has no spouse to occupy the position, reserved for governors’ wives.
Hon. Scolastica Bem-Sor is a prominent political figure in Benue State.
She serves in the administration of Governor Alia because the Governor is unmarried, Hon. Bem-Sor functions in the ceremonial capacity typically associated with the Office of the First Lady.
The group made its position known in a statement, arguing that established protocol and constitutional convention should guide the recognition of the state’s foremost female representative.
Addressing recent public discussions surrounding the designation of Bem-Sor as First Lady, the group maintained that the office is traditionally reserved for the spouse of the elected governor.
According to the group, Governor Hyacinth Alia, being a Catholic priest and unmarried, does not have a spouse to occupy the position.
It therefore argued that, in such circumstances, the wife of the Deputy Governor should assume the responsibilities associated with the office.
“In the absence of a Governor’s spouse, standard governmental and ceremonial protocol across Nigeria recognizes the wife of the Deputy Governor as the next-ranking female representative of the state.
“She is therefore the appropriate person to serve in the capacity of First Lady for official functions, state events, and advocacy initiatives,” the statement said.
The group further warned against action, it said could be interpreted as political nepotism, arguing that appointing an individual outside established protocol could create unnecessary division and distract from governance.
It called on the Benue State Government, political stakeholders, and the media to respect institutional precedence by according the wife of the Deputy Governor the recognition and responsibilities of the First Lady.
The Benue State Government has yet to officially respond to the group’s position.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
