
*sponsored*
Since 1957, when Nigerian Delegates sat to deliberate at the
1957 Constitutional Conference, there has always been the presence of women.
Although Nigerian Politics have been dominated by men, women have somehow found
ways to perform “office” functions. The concept of having a First Lady in
Nigeria could be rightly traced to the period of Lady Flora Lugard, the wife of
Lord Frederick Lugard, first colonial Governor-General of Nigeria (the man, who
in 1914 unified the northern and southern protectorate of Nigeria into one
country). It is to her credit that the country got her name, Nigeria.
1957 Constitutional Conference, there has always been the presence of women.
Although Nigerian Politics have been dominated by men, women have somehow found
ways to perform “office” functions. The concept of having a First Lady in
Nigeria could be rightly traced to the period of Lady Flora Lugard, the wife of
Lord Frederick Lugard, first colonial Governor-General of Nigeria (the man, who
in 1914 unified the northern and southern protectorate of Nigeria into one
country). It is to her credit that the country got her name, Nigeria.
With her 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and 774
local government areas, Nigeria is believed to have over 800 women who enjoy
this position of eminence as ‘first among equals’.
local government areas, Nigeria is believed to have over 800 women who enjoy
this position of eminence as ‘first among equals’.
Although there is no constitutional provision for the office
of the first lady, material and personnel resources of the state are usually
deployed to service it with impunity.
of the first lady, material and personnel resources of the state are usually
deployed to service it with impunity.
At Nigeria’s independence, Mrs. Flora Azikiwe was known as
Nigeria’s First Lady and she frequently attended state functions with her
husband. After her were a few First Ladies that are prominent despite the
relative short time they spent in “office” (State house). One of them is
Victoria Aguyi-Ironsi. Although, the succeeding government’s First Lady,
Victoria Gowon, stayed in the State House for only eight years, her presence
was equally felt in several public appearances.
Nigeria’s First Lady and she frequently attended state functions with her
husband. After her were a few First Ladies that are prominent despite the
relative short time they spent in “office” (State house). One of them is
Victoria Aguyi-Ironsi. Although, the succeeding government’s First Lady,
Victoria Gowon, stayed in the State House for only eight years, her presence
was equally felt in several public appearances.
When democracy returned in 1999, Stella Obasanjo, the First
Lady of Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo transformed the public
view of her “office”. She began her shine, when she started several activism
campaigns for release of her husband after he was imprisoned in 1995 for taking
part in a coup to overthrow the government. Her activities spurred females to
be strong and independent, and as such gathered wide support.
Lady of Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo transformed the public
view of her “office”. She began her shine, when she started several activism
campaigns for release of her husband after he was imprisoned in 1995 for taking
part in a coup to overthrow the government. Her activities spurred females to
be strong and independent, and as such gathered wide support.
She once commented that even though her husband had made a
commitment to improving living conditions in Nigeria, “things will
continue to deteriorate in the country unless more women were allowed to
participate in governance.” Considering, the impacts many of these “First
Ladies”, it might be easy to assume that at least one political office holder
is concerned about the welfare of the masses. If the Politicians don’t care,
and their wives show half as much as is required, then fine.
commitment to improving living conditions in Nigeria, “things will
continue to deteriorate in the country unless more women were allowed to
participate in governance.” Considering, the impacts many of these “First
Ladies”, it might be easy to assume that at least one political office holder
is concerned about the welfare of the masses. If the Politicians don’t care,
and their wives show half as much as is required, then fine.
But rights groups and journalists have continuously rejected
these notions.
these notions.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate
for 2015 in the forthcoming general election, General Mohammed Buhari has
promised to shut down the office of the first lady describing it as illegal or
unconstitutional, he noted that his wife will act as one who provides moral
support for the government as a mother to all Nigerians without necessarily
wearing the garb as a first lady or live a flamboyant lifestyle that first
ladies are known for in Nigeria. The big question is whether or not Buhari can
make good his promise to curtail the excesses of first ladies?
for 2015 in the forthcoming general election, General Mohammed Buhari has
promised to shut down the office of the first lady describing it as illegal or
unconstitutional, he noted that his wife will act as one who provides moral
support for the government as a mother to all Nigerians without necessarily
wearing the garb as a first lady or live a flamboyant lifestyle that first
ladies are known for in Nigeria. The big question is whether or not Buhari can
make good his promise to curtail the excesses of first ladies?
In the past, some first ladies wielded some powers and lived
a larger than life lifestyle using tax payers’ money without accountability.
Also notable is the antics of some first ladies to command and control some
political powers by endorsing political candidates for election which usually
will not allow for a level playing ground among contestants. These has
degenerated a lot of crisis and interparty brouhaha.
a larger than life lifestyle using tax payers’ money without accountability.
Also notable is the antics of some first ladies to command and control some
political powers by endorsing political candidates for election which usually
will not allow for a level playing ground among contestants. These has
degenerated a lot of crisis and interparty brouhaha.
In fact the latest trend is for first ladies to want to
combine their unconstitutional role with elective offices or control the
apparatus of political parties. A point in case, is that of the first lady of
Kogi State Mrs. Farida Ijeoma Wada, the wife of the current governor of Kogi
State who tried to use the position of her husband as a seating governor to
grab a seat at the Federal house of representative in Abia state where she
hails from under the People Democratic Party.
combine their unconstitutional role with elective offices or control the
apparatus of political parties. A point in case, is that of the first lady of
Kogi State Mrs. Farida Ijeoma Wada, the wife of the current governor of Kogi
State who tried to use the position of her husband as a seating governor to
grab a seat at the Federal house of representative in Abia state where she
hails from under the People Democratic Party.
She tried everything within her power to grab the ticket of
the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Ikwuano Umuahia Federal
consitutency at the House Representative. Even when it was obvious that she
could not win the primary election as she was not popular, she refused to step
down like some other contestant and she was floored at the polls.
the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Ikwuano Umuahia Federal
consitutency at the House Representative. Even when it was obvious that she
could not win the primary election as she was not popular, she refused to step
down like some other contestant and she was floored at the polls.
The big question therefore is, when and who will interpret
the constitution to our politicians that there is no constitutional rule for
the office for the first lady office but an aberration, a misuse of power and a
waste of tax payment, the earlier this is resolved the better for the country
as it will save the country several millions of Naira been allocated to the
unconstitutional office which can now be redirected to more useful ventures
that will benefit the citizenry and also help to make politics less attractive
to politicians.
the constitution to our politicians that there is no constitutional rule for
the office for the first lady office but an aberration, a misuse of power and a
waste of tax payment, the earlier this is resolved the better for the country
as it will save the country several millions of Naira been allocated to the
unconstitutional office which can now be redirected to more useful ventures
that will benefit the citizenry and also help to make politics less attractive
to politicians.
Although, some of these initiatives of these first ladies
like the Women for change initiative of the current First Lady, Dame Patience
Jonathan has contributed to giving the women a voice. What seems to define the
image of the office of the first lady are the excesses of some of its
occupants.
like the Women for change initiative of the current First Lady, Dame Patience
Jonathan has contributed to giving the women a voice. What seems to define the
image of the office of the first lady are the excesses of some of its
occupants.
It remains to be seen whether Buhari’s pledge to scrap the
office would achieve positive strides for the womenfolk.
office would achieve positive strides for the womenfolk.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates