Recently, there’s been an online uproar following a photo of Regina Nwoko, wife of Senator Ned Nwoko, sitting on what many call “her husband’s office chair.” While the reaction has been loud and laced with outrage, it raises an important question: what exactly does a Senator’s office represent, and why should anyone be bothered by who sits on a chair that ultimately belongs to the people?
First, let’s establish the basic fact: the seat of a Senator is not personal property. It is not an inherited throne or a private estate passed down through family lines. A Senator is a representative of the people, elected by a constituency to be their voice and advocate in the National Assembly. Therefore, everything associated with that office including the furniture and the title belongs to the people.
Some critics seem to believe that the Senator’s chair is some sort of sacred seat of power that should be treated like a royal artifact. That notion is not only misplaced, but it also misrepresents the very essence of democracy. In a representative system, public office holders serve the people, not the other way around. The office is a place where the needs of constituents are heard, their problems addressed, and their voices amplified.
Unlike executive roles such as governors or local government chairpersons, a Senator does not wield administrative authority. The office does not give them command over the machinery of government. Instead, their power lies in legislation, oversight, and most importantly representation. A Senator’s office should feel more like a public listening post than a private executive suite.
With that perspective, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Senator Ned Nwoko allowing his wife, Regina, to sit on his chair. Whether it was for a photo or a moment of companionship, the act is symbolic of something deeper: accessibility, relatability, and humanity. It demystifies the office and reminds us all that leadership should remain grounded, not inflated by ego or elitism.
Moreover, it’s no secret that political life is demanding and often requires the support of close family members. If Senator Ned, in the course of balancing public duty and personal life, chose to share a moment with his wife in his workspace, why should that draw such anger?
In fact, some might argue that his gesture reflects humility and comfort within his own role. Rather than gatekeeping the symbolic chair, he shares it. Rather than projecting his office as untouchable, he opens it up even if just for a moment to his loved ones. And let’s be clear: many constituents, especially during courtesy visits or advocacy trips, do occasionally sit on such chairs or pose for pictures in Senators’ offices. It’s not new. It’s not scandalous.
If anything, the outrage reveals how many Nigerians still view political positions through the lens of power and not service. This mindset needs to change. A Senator’s chair is not a throne; it is a platform to serve. Whether Regina Nwoko or any ordinary constituent sits in it, the meaning remains the same it is a symbol of public trust, not personal privilege.
So, let’s stop majoring in the minor. Regina sitting on that chair changes nothing about how well Senator Ned can serve his people. If anything, it shows that politics can have a human face that behind the policies and paperwork, there is family, support, and yes, sometimes, photo moments.
We should be more concerned about how effectively our Senators represent us, not who shares a chair with them.
