Constitutional role for first ladies- Let sleeping dogs lie

In February 2024, President Tinubu ordered the implementation of the Oronsaye Report which recommended reducing the inordinate cost of governance by merging or scrapping some Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA’s). Recognising the necessity for legislative backing to facilitate implementation of the report, the National Assembly established a Special Committee for Restructuring of Federal Government MDA’s. […]

In February 2024, President Tinubu ordered the implementation of the Oronsaye Report which recommended reducing the inordinate cost of governance by merging or scrapping some Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA’s). Recognising the necessity for legislative backing to facilitate implementation of the report, the National Assembly established a Special Committee for Restructuring of Federal Government MDA’s. Its purpose was to identify redundancies, duplication, inefficiencies and areas of improvements in order to rationalise and optimise the operations of government agencies to enhance efficiency and cost effectiveness. The special committee also promised to look into the cases of unfunded federal agencies created by an act of parliament many of which were created with the promise of self sufficiency.  The plight of these agencies and excessive cost of governance simply reflects the nation’s myriad of public policy failures.

Despite the dire need to reduce the cost of governance and the duplication of functions, there are quite absurd calls for the National Assembly to introduce a bill to constitutionally recognize the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also the first ladies of both the states and the local government councils!  Although president, it does not recognise the office of First Lady, nor does it bestow any powers upon them. Those supporting granting them constitutional responsibilities quite preposterously suggest that first ladies be given a “primary role” of responsibility for the well-being and advancement of women and children, and the overall development of their respective communities. This argument appears oblivious to the fact that the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Local Government Council are in existence to carry out these exact duties and responsibilities.

Regardless of their longing for self-aggrandisement the reality is that the spouses of Presidents, Governors and Local Government Chairmen are not elected to any office. The more it’s argued that they require constitutional roles, the more it becomes obvious that it’s unnecessary. Even though a degree of public service is inherent in their roles as wives of public officials, the very suggestion that they should be responsible for advocacy of good parenting, inculcation of good social values, charitable works, social welfare enlightenment campaigns, nationalism and patriotism is a duplication of the roles of the National Orientation Agency and other existing MDAs.

Traditionally the wives of presidents served as “chief hostesses” in charge of all things domestic. Originally terms such as “Presidentress’ or “Mrs. President” were used, however as they began to be accepted as ceremonial replacements for the President, the term First Lady became commonly adopted.

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As for preventing wastage of government funds, in addition to the unnecessary cost of setting up all the First Lady offices nationwide, it’s important to take cognisance of the national malaise of abandoned ill-considered projects initiated by past first ladies littering the nation. Quite obscenely many governors travel from their states to attend the launching of such projects, and in spite of the alleviated suffering and deprivations among their own people, they gleefully and generously donate “on behalf of the good citizens of their state” hundreds of millions to projects which will be abandoned once their husbands end their tenure!

Lamentably the elementary rules of decency and accountability are ignored whenever First Lady pet projects are involved. The danger of creating constitutional duties for first ladies is that then voters must have a right to know, see and scrutinise them. Similar to ministers, ambassadors and heads of parastatals she would need to be screened and cleared by the Senate! Knowing full well the nature of slanderous and defamatory statements our politicians throw about freely, this will only lead to shameless and garrulous allegations against her.

Paradoxically while some first ladies have been criticised for doing too much, others have been criticised for doing too little! While some have been praised for their looks or fashion sense, others have been treated unkindly. While some are admired for their simplicity and gentility, others are scorned for their egocentricity, arrogance and hubris. In the USA first ladies are known as trend setters in style, fashion, and design industries as well as patrons of charitable causes, the arts, and the entertainment industry.  They well-advisedly steer clear of governance and veer away from issues which are strictly political.

There is no doubt that first ladies can play a positive role in society, but they must not infringe upon the duties and responsibilities of existing government agencies. It’s pertinent to note that there is no law requiring presidents, governors or and local government chairmen to be males or to be married!  Besides which every man knows how he wishes to run his household.

A former President made it clear that he married his wife for “the kitchen and the other room” not for her to assume political responsibilities. He was very correct, as she has returned to being the wife she was ever before he became president! At best the Office of the first lady should be the equivalent of a Special Adviser. It should be a department in the State House manned only by a personal secretary, because the nation has better things to do with money. Those desiring to give first ladies a constitutional office with all the paraphernalia of governance are better advised to let sleeping dogs lie!