The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has said his administration will not operate an official First Lady Office if elected in the 2027 general election, arguing that the position has no constitutional basis.
Sowore made the declaration during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Tonight, where he outlined his governance policy on the role traditionally occupied by the spouse of the President.
According to him, while becoming president would not affect his marriage, it would not create an official government office for his wife.
“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,” Sowore said.
The AAC candidate maintained that women would continue to play significant roles in his administration, but insisted that public funds should not be used to maintain what he described as an unconstitutional office.
He added that his position was a matter of public policy rather than a personal statement about the institution of marriage, stressing that governance should be guided by constitutional provisions and prudent use of public resources.
Although the title First Lady has been used in Nigeria since the First Republic and is widely recognised in public life, the 1999 Constitution does not establish it as a constitutional office. Instead, it remains an informal title traditionally held by the spouse of the President.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
