‘It is a terrible aberration’ — Gurgur Japheth faults appointment of Scolastica Bem-Sor as Benue First Lady

A public administrator, Gurgur Japheth, has joined the growing debate over the designation of Hon. Scolastica Bem-Sor as Benue State’s First Lady, describing the arrangement as a departure from established convention and protocol.

Japheth, in a statement shared on social media, said he had refrained from commenting on the controversy surrounding the Office of the First Lady Coordination but maintained that where there is no First Lady, there cannot be an Office of the First Lady.

He recalled that during the administration of the late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu as Governor of Benue State between 1992 and 1993, the role of First Lady was performed by Mrs. Patricia Agada, wife of the deputy governor, Engr. Yakubu Agada, because Governor Adasu, a Catholic priest, was unmarried.

According to him, the arrangement reflected established convention, with the duties traditionally associated with the office delegated to the deputy governor’s wife.

Japheth argued that it was inappropriate for someone who is neither the wife of the governor nor that of the deputy governor to assume the title and privileges associated with the office of the First Lady.

 “I don’t want to comment on the Office of the 1st Lady Coordination narrative because if there is no 1st Lady in a State, there can not be Office of the 1st Lady.

“During the governorship of Reverend Father Moses Adasu in Benue State (1992–1993), the role of the First Lady was performed by Mrs. Patricia Agada, the wife of his Deputy, Engr. Yakubu Agada. Because Governor Adasu was an unmarried Catholic priest, the traditional duties of the office were delegated to her.

“It is a terrible aberration to have someone who is neither Wife of the Governor nor Wife of the Deputy Governor gallivant with the toga of Her Excellency and First Lady Ogini. The Presidential system of Government as copied from America does not operate in such a manner. Let us not make everything in Benue look hilarious,” he wrote. 

His comments come amid ongoing public discussions regarding the designation of individuals performing functions associated with the office of the First Lady in Benue State.