The Benue State Government has stepped forward to justify the use of the honorific ‘Her Excellency’ for Mrs. Scholastica Terngu Bensor, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia and Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady. In a statement released on Thursday, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, asserted that criticisms of the title stem from a lack of understanding of governance protocols and are fueled by political misinformation.
Kula clarified that ‘Her Excellency’ is a standard title for women in high-ranking public roles or those tasked with significant government duties, not exclusively for governors’ or presidents’ spouses. He noted that the title is commonly applied to female leaders such as ambassadors, ministers, and women coordinating major public service and humanitarian initiatives.
The spokesperson explained that the Office of the First Lady is not a constitutionally mandated executive office but rather a humanitarian and social intervention framework that varies by state. He pointed to precedents in Akwa Ibom and Edo states, where appointees coordinating First Lady-related activities are officially recognized as ‘Her Excellency’ during their duties.
Kula emphasized that Governor Alia has the constitutional authority to appoint qualified individuals to advance his administration’s agenda, particularly in humanitarian and social welfare sectors. He praised Mrs. Bensor’s competence and dedication, highlighting her effective coordination of programs for vulnerable groups across Benue State.
The statement urged the public to approach governance discussions with factual understanding rather than political bias, stressing that such offices are established to support government programs and not to create parallel authority structures.