By Gideon Njoku
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has come under hammer from Nigerians for his alleged humiliation of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke at a public event.
The First Lady who not a few Nigerians had been praising to high heavens for her philanthropic activities since her husband, President Bola Tinubu, was sworn into office in May 2023, apparently put the wrong foot forward on Monday in Ile-Ife Osun State.
She was in the State to be honoured by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi with a chieftaincy title. Present were every who-is-who, almost, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governors, Wives of Governors, led by Mrs Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, as well as wives of Ministers, National Assembly Members, top Traditional Rulers, top Government officials, industrialists, Businessmen and women, and more.
As the host Governor, Adeleke was there and was called up to deliver a speech. On getting to the podium, the Governor who loves to sing and dance started by singing a Church song. But just as he started, the First Lady, in an unprecedented manner, left her seat, walked up to the Governor, and asked him to stop, and that he had only five minutes to speak. As the Governor continued to, at least, finish the song he started, Mrs Tinubu walked back and warned that she would switch off the microphone.
Not a few Nigerians were shocked at what they saw as an unwarranted humiliation of the Governor when they saw the viral video on social media.
One of those who condemned Mrs Tinubu is Chief Dele Momodu, celebrated Journalist and Politician. He was swiftly followed by another celebrated academic and columnist, Dr Farooq Kperogi
In a statement he posted on his social media platforms, Momodu said Mrs Tinubu’s behaviour was “totally beneath” her status and described it as an insult on the Governor.
He insisted that the office of the First Lady “carries no constitutional authority to publicly reprimand an elected governor.”
Momodu alleged the incident amounted to the “public humiliation” of Governor Adeleke before a global audience, and argued that such conduct was inappropriate, especially given that the First Lady is not an elected public official.
Moreover, Momodu
expressed surprise that Mrs Tinubu, a “self-professed Pastor” would reportedly object to a Governor praising God before making a speech. He added that the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), where Mrs. Tinubu worships, should be worried about such behaviour.
He, also, wondered whether the First Lady would have done same to a Northern Governor reciting verses from the Qur’an before speaking.
Momodu accused the First Lady of acting as if “her family owns Nigeria,” and described such mindset as dangerous in a democratic system.
He praised Governor Adeleke for maintaining his composure, describing him as “a perfect gentleman” for handling the situation with restraint.
And in his reaction, Kperogi described Mrs Tinubu’s behaviour as ”arrogant and imperious”.
There has been no reaction either from the office of the First Lady or that of the Osun State Government.
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