Wife of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Sherifat, on Monday described all first ladies in Nigeria as ‘executive prisoners’ because they are forced to live a life imposed on them by virtue of their office.
Although the Nigerian constitution does not recognize the title of first lady, reserved for spouses of state governors and the president, it has continued to thrive and most times the office receives government funding for its day-to-day activities.
Mrs. Aregbesola, who spoke in an interview with newsmen before the end of the year party she organised for children in Osogbo, the state capital, said contrary to the belief that first ladies were ‘enjoying’, they had no freedom to live the way they liked.
Sherifat noted that she, like her counterparts in other states across the federation, embark on some pet projects in order not to be idle throughout their stay at the various Government Houses.
She said, “All first ladies are executive prisoners. They are all here now (referring to security aides) and I can’t go to anywhere without them following me.
“Who among the First Ladies is free? Who among First Ladies can go anywhere they like? All the First Ladies are executive prisoners. We can only dress like this and smile to the cameras but we are executive prisoners”, she stressed.
Her comment comes on the backdrop of recent happenings at the Enugu State Government House, where the first lady, Clara, cried out that she had been detained by the governor, Sullivan Chime, a situation she claimed led to her suffering depression. She has however been set free by her husband and has left the confines of the Government House.
Shedding more light on Gov. Aregbesola’s person, the Osun State first lady stated that he is a very simple and caring man whom she would not hesitate to marry again.
She also debunked the speculations that the governor was a religious fanatic, saying that her husband allowed children living under his roof to practice Christianity despite the fact that he is a Muslim.
She said, “My husband is a very simple man. He is a very nice man and I wonder where those behind the rumour get their information from. I have lived with him for more than 30 years. I know him very well. He is very simple and kind. He is very passionate about the development of the state. He works so hard to ensure that things are working well.
“My husband allows everybody to practise their religions. His immediate younger sister is a Christian. Two of her children are living with us now and they go to church. I encourage them to go to church on Sunday.
“His younger brother, Rafiu, is a Christian; I mean he is a deacon. There are Ladi and Sikira who are Christians. The rumour about him being a fanatic is all about politics”.
The next unconstitutional office soon to be created by these greedy folks is office of “The First Girlfriend”