Office Of First Lady: What They Want In The Next Dispensation

IN other climes, the wife of a presidential candidate could add or subtract from the popularity of a candidate. The upbringing, education, dress manners and social habits of a would-be first lady could sway undecided voters. 

   In the last four years, the office of Nigeria’s First Lady has come under intense scrutiny, as the occupant, Dame Patience Jonathan has brought it both fame and odium. In terms of fame, she promised in 2011 to bring onboard a substantial presence of women if her husband won the presidency. Indeed, that happened, as for the first time, close to 35 percent of key appointments were reserved for women. 

  On the flip side, she courted opprobrium on a number of times her office was perceived to have acted indecently. For instance, her tussle with a former first lady over a parcel of land in the Federal Capital Territory left sour taste in the mouths of onlookers, who just felt it was not fitting of her office, despite her propriety on the issue. That raised a lot of argument on whether or not that office should continue to exist. Her interference in the Chibok Girls’ abduction was equally interpreted in some quarters as meddlesomeness, just as she was accused of poking her nose in the politics of Oyo, Bayelsa, among other states. 

  The office of First Lady has no place in the Constitution, but has operated as a convention since the times of Gen. Yakubu Gowon as head of state, when his wife, Victoria brought some zest to it. Maryam Babangida of blessed memory took the office some notches higher, with glamour and panache when her husband, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida was in office. And so on till date, the office has grown in scope and influence, while the debate about its constitutionality has refused to go away.

  Some have called attention to the fact that if the office does not exist constitutionally, it does not have funds appropriated for it. Therefore, where does the Office of First Lady get funds to carry out its activities? Others feel since there are no provisions in the Constitution to regulate the office, it could be abused by an overzealous occupant, who may not know where to apply the brakes.  

  And as the 2015 general elections approach, the debate is again in town, whether there should be a place for the wife of the president to operate in the next dispensation. Here is how a cross section of women reacted.

‘Moderation Is Key’

Adejoke Layi-Babatunde

Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Lawbreed Limited 

TO the extent that the office of the First Lady has no constitutional backing, the office has been basically a matter of convention. Therefore, much depends on the personality and disposition of the individual taking advantage of such convention. There are no specific statutory or constitutionally prescribed duties to guide the occupant or those interested in measuring the person’s performance. It is, however, important for every First Lady to bear it in mind, that she does not enjoy a joint political or constitutional mandate with her spouse. It is the Vice President or deputy Governor, as the case may be, that does. Any attempt to interfere in the affairs of state, especially in the public sphere, no doubt will breed resentment.

From time immemorial, wives of Presidents have always had some traditional roles, such as helping the less privileged, receiving guests and supporting worthy causes, as well as leading the fight for the right of women and children. 

  All these, to my mind, are laudable because as mothers and nurturers, that is just our nature. We know where the shoes pinch, where women and children rights are concerned. We expect a First Lady to be supportive of her spouse in the discharge of the burden of office, just as one would expect every reasonable spouse to be of immeasurable value in complementing their husbands, rather than confusing them.

  But the office of the first woman has come under a lot of attacks and criticisms because of misuse of powers, greed, misappropriation of public funds and a lot of showmanship. I would like to advice that like with everything in this world, moderation is the key word. They should embark on projects that truly make impact and that will outlive them, remembering always that history has a place for everyone. 

  They should have a job or vocation of their own that they can always fall back on after leaving office. The position should be an opportunity for the occupier to improve their sense of charm, grace and knowledge at every point in time. Let Nigeria and its citizens be the big picture.

  There is a question on my mind, which is what if we have a female Governor, what would be the role and function(s) of the ‘First Gentleman?’ This should be food for thought. As women, we must realise that we don’t have to be First Lady in that sense to make a difference. 

‘The First Lady’s Personality Is important’

 Yinka Ogunde,

MD/CEO, Edumark

THIS is a delicate issue with merit on both sides. If used constructively, the office can make tremendous impact in the lives of citizens, especially women and children. But when used otherwise, it can cause tremendous chaos. I remember Prof. Soyinka saying that First Ladies should learn to be a lady first before attempting to be a “first lady.” A lot of wisdom is needed to manage this position effectively. The personality of the First Lady plays tremendous impact on how the position is managed. It is a complementary role and must not in any way assume powers, which the constitution does not recognise. 

  A smart First Lady must know how to successfully manage this interplay and still make an impact upon the lives of people. By reason of that position, programmes that would affect the society positively can be created. The position does not call for meddling in state affairs or summoning ministers. The First Lady is first of all in charge of the home front and must at all times be seen as that. She must be seen as a woman playing a supportive role to her husband, but not the one making decisions on how the country must be run.

A First Lady that understands the dynamics can still make a lot of impact whilst allowing the person that has been voted for to be in the lead.

   The position calls for tact, wisdom, decorum, grace, knowledge, deep understanding of the Nigerian society and culture; and very strong interpersonal relationship skills. 

‘The Office Cannot Be Scrapped, Since It Is Not Provided For In The Constitution’ 

Atinuke Adeleke Entrepreneur, Creative Director, Zuri Perle

THE title of First Lady of Nigeria is accorded to the wife of any reigning President. The Federal Constitution does not create any such office. Nonetheless, funds and staffing are allocated to whomever holds the title. During campaigns, the wife of a candidate can have a tremendous influence on the voters. Depending on various factors, she may be able to get female voters, voters of a particular fashion and inclination, female professionals, young voters and other voting demographics to vote for her husband. 

  As the office of the First Lady is not provided for in the Constitution in the first place, there isn’t an office to dissolve. The issue in contention in my opinion is the funds allocated to such said ‘office’ because such funds if designated for the office of the first lady is unconstitutional. So, what then happens to the office of First Lady in the next dispensation? I cannot really say what happens to the office of the First Lady in the next dispensation, as it will be determined by whoever wins the election.  It may become more flamboyant or visible in the case of the Jonathans or pretty conservative in the case of the Buhari’s.  But only time can tell what will happen because we do not know for certain the relationships between the candidates and their wives and the amount of control (if any) they have over them.  

  The ‘office’ cannot be scrapped, as it is not provided for in the Constitution as such does not exist. In my humble opinion, I don’t think that position should be created or included in the Constitution, as the wife to a presidential candidate is not on the ballot and people do not vote for spouses. 

  However, the First Lady will always hold a powerful position whether or not she has an official role stipulated in the Constitution. The real question should be how much power should a First Lady actually have? And I believe the parameters of the activities and power of the First Lady should be dictated by the reigning president within the context that her role is not and should never be a political one. 

‘The Office Is Useful, Relevant and Impacting Lives’ 

Yinka Daudu, Interior Decorator

ANY government that does not allow women to be seen and heard is a no government for me. For me, the office is a form of expression, activity and usefulness for not only for the First Lady, who holds the office in trust, but generally for the womenfolk to which she relates. This is what the office has been across the board even though every First Lady have their peculiar projects, programmes and activities depending on the needs of her people. So, there is no similarity of projects across the states or the national level in Abuja. 

Even where the projects do not meet the needs and aspirations of the people, the office cannot be adjudged to be useless because it has impacted the lived of many Nigerians, who benefit from the activities of the First Ladies in their respective states and at the national level, where programmes are carried out on a larger scale.   

  These progammes and projects are some of the real benefits of democracy, given that this is where the First Ladies interact directly with the grassroots alongside their husbands. So, I believe that the office is useful, relevant and impacting the lives of Nigerians.

  I cannot imagine what democratic governance would have been like in Nigeria in this 21st century without the office of the First Lady. Governance would be drab and dry because the office adds a lot of colour and shine, not only to governance, but also to the women themselves who are their constituency. So, scrapping the office will leave much to be desired. The First Lady must be seen as a helper to her husband, state or country. She represents the women, as a wife and a mother.

 Not recognising this office and its usefulness to the lives of Nigerians, especially Nigerian women, is unfair. Women should also have a way to express themselves and feel good about what they are doing. It is part of their right and freedom. So, any organisation that does not recognise women is bound to fail. Likewise, any leader that does not recognise women is a weak and insecure leader.

‘Gross Abuse and Manipulation Not Enough Excuse To Scrap’

Debby Lawson, CEO, Fastizers Food and Confectionery Ltd.

IT is disturbing that in an era, when the world is taking about giving women adequate space in governance and respecting their rights and freedom, we should be talking about scrapping or not scrapping the office of the First Lady, especially where women are sometimes found to excel above their male counterparts in different facets of human endeavour. 

  The question is whether women would perform better if an enabling environment were provided for them, judging by the way they exhibit discipline and adhere to professional ethics wherever they occupy key leadership positions.

  It is only fair that women must be given adequate space and recognition for any society to progress. I am convinced that the office is not and should not be about the individuals that occupy it, as it is an office where people come and go. This means that one lady goes and another comes into the office. We must begin to separate the office from the personalities that occupy it, especially when it comes to the usefulness or relevance of the office. 

  There is no doubt that the office of the First Lady, as important as it is, has been grossly abused and manipulated for the benefits of either the holder of the office or for so–called beneficiaries of the programmes and projects undertaken by the office. This, I believe, is, however, not enough reason to scrap the office. This is like throwing away the baby with the bath water. That is why I believe that the solution is not in the scrapping, but in the regulation of the office. 

  The misuse and constant abuse of the office makes it difficult for people to be objective and or flexible in their assessment of it. The position and the occupants of the office are two separate things. Therefore, the relevance of the office should not be in doubt, when we can streamline the activities and programmes of the occupant of the office. 

  On the position of the APC candidate, Gen Mohammad Buhari, that there will be no First Lady office, he is entitled to his personal opinions, ideologies and decisions. However, he should not force same on the physique of the Nigerian people. If that is his determination if elected, he is only but one president. Another president can come and revert to the status quo. Every office has its shortcomings. That is why the president is too busy to attend to everything all by himself. So why not allow his due diligence in this manner, especially when the office is impacting positively on the lives of many Nigerians, who have been assisted in one way or the other through the pet projects of the First Ladies? And the facts are there for all to see. So, we can afford to overlook the inadequacies of the office.

‘The Office Should Not Be Taken With Levity’

Bimbo Fagade Entrepreneur, Versatile presenter and Producer

I strongly believe that behind every successful man lies a woman. No matter the pedigree of the woman, she also has a right to be heard because she is a voice for her female counterparts, which means a mother to daughter relationship and a mentor to a mentee relationship among others. 

  The office of the First Lady in the 2015 campaigns has been awesome. When we look at the First Ladies in the previous years, they have contributed immensely to the growth of the economy, not only through mortality rate, but also through leadership in corporate organisations and the GDP of the economy through their creative businesses.

  The office of the First Lady should not be taken with levity by anybody, not even by women themselves. The office is and should be taken as a serious national issue that needs to be treated urgently.