The Edo Progressives Alliance (EPA) has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo, to abolish the coordinator role in the Office of the First Lady.
The group advocated for the establishment of a substantive first lady office to ensure genuine leadership and accountability.
At a press conference in Abuja, Convener of EPA, Comrade Gift Okiyi said, “We implore the Governor to swiftly restore the First Lady’s office, as the Coordinator position is ineffective.”
She urged the governor to replace the coordinator with a conventionally recognised First Lady and to amend the office’s duties and funding sources.
Okiyi stressed that the office of the First Lady has a recognised authority and will enhance accountability and transparency in funding which aligns with global democratic standards.
Furthermore, she appealed to traditional rulers, including the Oba of Benin, to intervene in governance matters that threaten Edo’s cultural values.
She said the presence of individuals prioritising personal agendas over the collective good is seen as a risk to the state’s reputation for inclusivity.
The EPA emphasised the need for a visible advocate for women’s issues, highlighting that a First Lady could address systemic challenges such as excessive taxation and infrastructure gaps.
