Remi Tinubu sparks debate after asking Adeleke to stop singing at Ooni’s event

File photo: Senator Oluremi Tinubu

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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has come under fire after she intervened while Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, broke into a song during his speech at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

In a video that went viral on Monday, Adeleke was seen stepping up to the podium on Sunday to honour the monarch and congratulate the First Lady on her new chieftaincy title, Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua.

Instead of delivering his address immediately, the governor, well-known for his lively and musical public style, launched into a brief chant, prompting amusement from sections of the crowd.

The First Lady, who had moments earlier received her traditional title from the Ooni, walked towards the podium, gestured lightly to the governor and whispered to him to proceed with his statement.

This has, however, since drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians online.

Reacting, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on the Bureau of Social Services, Akintunde Bello, said Mrs Tinubu should be cautioned.

Also, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, in a post on his Instagram handle on Monday, condemned the First Lady’s action, describing it as bullying.

Momodu said the president’s wife openly disgraced and embarrassed Adeleke before a global audience.

He said, “Remi Tinubu is not an elected officer of the government and has no role assigned to her in the constitution of the Federal Republic.

“It is totally repugnant to openly disgrace, insult and bully the Chief Executive of Osun State before a global audience, including his wife. She went too far.”

An X user, Hon. Rilwan, tweeting as #rilwan_ola01 wrote, “Remi Tinubu came to Osun to undermine the power of legitimate government in front of various dignitaries. I am really angry right now.”

However, despite the backlashes, some netizens believe that Tinubu’s action is justified.

Dayo Fashola, an aide to the ex-Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on her verified Facebook handle, said the conversation between the duo was lighthearted.

Fashola had explained that what transpired between Oluremi Tinubu and Adeleke was “light‑hearted and isn’t as serious as people are making it seem.”

She wrote, “Even Her Excellency craved the indulgence of all her distinguished guests to skip protocol while delivering her own speech, as many needed to return to their respective destinations in good time. Keeping in mind that helicopter visibility at night is near zero.”

A Facebook user, Oyetunji Ayoade, while defending Tinubu’s action, wrote, “The highest respect the first lady can give to Osun people is to stand up and inform him by herself and she did.”

Adetutu has three years experience in publishing stories on gender, health, education, metro and fact-checking.

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