‘You can’t force Gov Alia to appoint Sam Ode’s wife as First Lady’ — Benue govt to critics

The Benue State Government has defended the role of Hon. Scholastica Terngu Ben-Sor in the Office of the First Lady Coordination, insisting that Governor Hyacinth Alia acted within his powers in assigning her the responsibility.

The clarification was made by the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev, amid growing controversy over who should coordinate activities traditionally associated with the Office of the First Lady in the state.

Iorpev dismissed calls by some groups and individuals who argued that the wife of the Deputy Governor should automatically perform the role in the absence of a governor’s spouse, stressing that no law or regulation mandates such an arrangement.

According to him, Governor Alia, being a Catholic priest, does not have a First Lady. However, he said the absence of a First Lady does not extinguish the need for a coordinating office, particularly in relation to programmes initiated by the First Lady of Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Initiative.

He explained that Ben-Sor, who serves as Special Adviser on Women Affairs, was directed by the governor to coordinate activities and interventions targeted at women, children and vulnerable groups in Benue State.

“Scholastica Terngu Ben-Sor is the governor’s Special Adviser on Women Affairs. She was directed by the governor to coordinate whatever comes from the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria for the benefit of Benue women, children and vulnerable persons,” Iorpev stated.

He noted that within the Renewed Hope Initiative framework, states are required to be represented either by a First Lady or a representative from the Office of the First Lady, hence Ben-Sor’s designation as Coordinator, Office of the First Lady.

The governor’s aide also rejected arguments that the wife of the deputy governor should automatically assume the role, citing the administration of the late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu as precedent.

“It is a matter of choice. The office of the wife of a deputy governor has its own responsibilities and if a governor chooses to assign additional responsibilities associated with the Office of the First Lady, that remains his prerogative,” he said.

Iorpev further argued that Benue is not the only state operating such an arrangement, noting that Edo and Akwa Ibom states also have coordinators of the Office of the First Lady despite their deputy governors having spouses.

The media aide also alleged that some of the criticisms against Governor Alia over the matter were politically motivated, claiming that certain individuals had been given N50 million to discredit the governor. He, however, did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

The debate over the role and structure of the Office of the First Lady in Benue State has continued to generate reactions, with some citizens insisting that the wife of the deputy governor should perform the functions, while others maintain that Governor Alia has the right to determine who coordinates the office’s activities.