Controversy Trails Use Of ‘Her Excellency’ Title In Addressing Benue First Lady

Controversy has trailed the Office of the First Lady and the use of the title “Her Excellency” by the special adviser to the Governor of Benue State and coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs Scholastica Terngu Bensor.

Some Benue social media users had argued that the wife of Benue State deputy governor, Mrs Christie Ada Sam-Ode, should be made the first lady of the state hence Governor Hyacinth Alia, is a Catholic priest, while others said there was nothing wrong with Alia appointing any woman as a coordinator of the Office of the First Lady.

Reacting, the office of Benue State Deputy Governor said it had observed with concern the unnecessary controversy and misleading discussions circulating on various social media platforms regarding the position of First Lady in the state.

A statement issued by deputy chief press secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Ior Ikyereve, stated that, “For the avoidance of doubt, Mrs Christie Ada Sam-Ode is the wife of the Deputy Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Barr. Dr Sam Ode. By virtue of this status, she is the wife of the deputy governor and not the first lady of Benue State.

“It is important to state unequivocally that the position of first lady in a state is traditionally and officially occupied by the wife of the governor. Furthermore, the governor reserves the prerogative to assign responsibilities within his administration as he deems appropriate.

“Consequently, Mrs Christie Ada Sam-Ode is neither entitled to nor lays claim to the position of First Lady of Benue State. Any insinuation to the contrary is misleading, unfounded, and should be disregarded” the statement explained.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government has defended the use of the title ‘Her Excellency’ by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State and Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Scholastica Terngu Bensor.

In a statement issued by Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, yesterday, the government said the recent debates surrounding the Office of the First Lady and the use of the title by Mrs. Bensor were driven by misinformation and limited understanding.

Kula explained that ‘Her Excellency’ is a formal honorific used to accord respect and official recognition to women occupying high-ranking public responsibilities within government structures and public service.

According to him, the title is not reserved exclusively for the wives of governors or presidents but was also applied to women entrusted with coordinating significant government-backed humanitarian and social intervention programmes.

The statement further noted that the Office of the First Lady is not a constitutionally established executive office but a humanitarian and social support platform whose structure and operation vary from state to state depending on administrative arrangements and policy direction.

Kula cited examples from other states, including Akwa Ibom, where Governor Umo Eno appointed his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady following the death of the state’s First Lady, and Edo State, where social intervention programmes linked to the First Lady’s office are coordinated by Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani.

Parts of the statement read, “For the past few days, public discourse within the Benue cyberspace has been dominated by debates surrounding the Office of the First Lady and the use of the title ‘Her Excellency’ by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State and Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Scholastica Terngu Bensor.

‎ ‎”While it has become evident that many are commenting from a position of misinformation or limited understanding, it is equally clear that some politically dishonest actors are deliberately exploiting the issue to mislead the public and score cheap political points.

‎ ‎ “For instance, in Akwa Ibom State, following the passing of the First Lady, Governor Umo Eno appointed his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady. “

‎Kula explained further, “Similarly, in Edo State, the coordination of social intervention and empowerment programmes associated with the Office of the First Lady has been entrusted to Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, a niece of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

‎ ‎”As protocol and courtesy require, both Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki and Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani are addressed as their ‘Excellencies’ in the course of discharging their official responsibilities.”

The statement added, “These examples illustrate a growing administrative practice whereby states take deliberate steps to ensure that humanitarian and social welfare initiatives remain active and impactful, even during periods of transition or unforeseen circumstances. ‎ ‎

“His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has a clear vision for the direction of humanitarian interventions in Benue State. As the Chief Executive of the state, he possesses the constitutional authority to appoint individuals he considers capable of effectively implementing that vision and delivering results in line with his administration’s objectives. ‎ ‎So far, Her Excellency, Scholastica Terngu Bensor, has demonstrated the competence, commitment, and capacity required for the role, proving to be a square peg in a square hole,” Kula said.