The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has said there will be no official office of the First Lady if he is elected president in 2027.
Sowore made the declaration during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Tonight on Thursday, arguing that the position is not established by the Nigerian Constitution.
He said becoming president would not affect his marriage, but his wife would not occupy an official position as First Lady.
“There is no office of First Lady in the Nigerian Constitution. Becoming the president will not abolish my marriage, but I will not have the office of First Lady,” he said.
Sowore said women would continue to have a role and voice in his administration, but argued against using public funds to maintain an office for the president’s wife when the position is not constitutionally established.
“Women will be heard, but I don’t believe that you need a first lady who is holding an unconstitutional position and just wasting money that is meant for progress and projects.
“I am just telling you as a matter of policy that there won’t be an office of the First Lady under the Sowore presidency,” he said.
The 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not expressly establish an Office of the First Lady. It sets out the offices and functions of the President, Vice-President, ministers and other constitutional office holders.
The title of First Lady, however, is used in official government activities. The State House currently recognises Oluremi Tinubu as the First Lady of Nigeria, and she has participated in government-related programmes and events in that capacity.
