Nigerians react as Akwa Ibom state gov appoints daughter as acting First Lady

The appointment of Helen Eno-Obareki, daughter of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Eno Umo as the Acting First Lady of the state have sparked mixed reactions on social media.

NaijaOnPoint.com.ng (NOP) reports that the governor’s late wife, Patience Umo Eno died at an undisclosed hospital on Friday, September 26, 2024, surrounded by family members comes weeks after losing his wife, Pastor Patience Eno.

Announcing the appointment, the governor during a condolence visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Friday, October 4 stated that his daughter would take on the duties of the First Lady, ensuring continuity of the office and the projects initiated by his late wife.

 “To maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of the office. She will work closely with the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare,” the governor said

He expressed his confidence in his daughter’s ability to uphold the values and vision of her late mother, affirming his commitment to sustaining the projects initiated through the First Lady’s office.

The action has elicted mixed reaction from Nigerians on social media.

womanity_clothing wrote: “The office is not recognized under the law.”

declutter_sistah_ph wrote: “There is no such thing as “office of the First Lady”, so this is rather unnecessary.”

okodosarah wrote: “It a ceremonial position, it is not recognized, but it has is functions. I find nothing wrong with it. The deputy governor’s wife can’t take the position either. That position is mainly to reach out to the girl child and women affairs.”

st._.henry wrote: ”Nothing wrong with it as long as she performs good.”

kunlemyk wrote: “There’s nothing wrong with this, it’s a ceremonial position. Besides, the deputy Governor is a woman.”

__ahda_ wrote: “Make una wait first, that person wearing black beside him, is that a man or woman?”

mabeibrahim8 wrote: “Pls does Nigeria have a constitution? Wey no dey shame person.”

bubescollectibles28 wrote: “There’s nothing wrong as long as she’s carrying out her mother’s vision for the wellness of their state it’s fine.”

aijaybaby wrote: “That office was never constitutional so why?”

ama_hulk wrote: “Ha…. See Una Pastor..”