Nigerian journalist and publisher of Ovation International Magazine, Dele Momodu, has berated Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for allegedly insulting and belittling Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, during an event.
The incident took place on Sunday during an event marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Several dignitaries from across the country, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, incumbent and former governors, senators and traditional rulers, were present where the First Lady was also conferred with the chieftaincy title of Yeye-Asiwaju of Ile Oodua.
The incident saw the First Lady throwing tantrums at Adeleke for using the time allotted to him to make a speech to show his famous dancing skills.
In the course of the celebration, Adeleke was called up to make a speech and in his characteristic manner, he decided to sing and dance for some minutes which irked the First Lady who went up to him, collected the microphone and told him point blank:
“I’m giving you five minutes to finish your speech. The music is enough.”
Adeleke, however, ignored her and continued singing and dancing.
This infuriated Mrs Tinubu the more and she blurted:
“I will turn off the microphone. Stop the music.”
As the issue keeps raging on social media space with many Nigerians saying the First Lady has no such authority to threaten a serving governor as she is not an elected government official neither is her office recognized by the Nigerian Constitution, Momodu, a former presidential aspirant also took to his official Facebook page on Tuesday to umbrage her over what he described as an insult to Adekele.
Writing with the caption “Why you can’t blame Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu,” Momodu said:
“A member of the OVATION MEDIA GROUP team called me from Ile-Ife last night, frantically. I could feel him almost panting.
“Sir, your Sister has done it again”, he said matter-of-factly…
“Who’s my Sister and what has she done again?,”
“Haa, the First Lady MRS OLUREMI TINUBU insulted GOVERNOR ADELEKE today in public…”
“Why and how? I asked, almost rhetorically, knowing what my Sister was capable of doing when angry. I was once a victim, shortly before the family attained full blown power. Please, let me digress a little. We had met at the funeral of CHIEF MRS KEMI NELSON, inside the holy sanctuary of the ARCHBISHOP VINING MEMORIAL CHURCH in Ikeja GRA, Lagos…
“Good morning Ma,” I said, most repectfully. Standing by were Dr Femi Olowolafe and Senator Tokunbo Abiru. Suddenly, there was an explosion, totally unprovoked. Mrs Tinubu went like, “Bob Dee, you mean you won’t campaign for my husband?”
“I wasted no time in responding: ‘I can’t Ma, I’m in a different party!!’ Her Excellency was livid. She said things that were not factual but out of respect for “Uncle Bola” I let it slip…
1. This latest tirade against an elected Governor was totally beneath her for several reasons:
She’s not an elected officer of 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 own wife. She went too far.
2. It is unbelievable that a self-professed Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God would frown at a Governor praising God. Her Church should be very embarrassed.
3. Would she have tried this with a Northern Governor reciting the Holy Koran before a speech?
4. Why does she think her family owns Nigeria and can publicly go on rampage as she wishes.
5. Many commentators have said she was lucky that Governor Ademola Adeleke is a perfect gentleman.
“But I can’t really blame Mrs. OLUREMI TINUBU. I blame the squeamish Nigerians who chose to be voluntary slaves in their own country. Shame on the cowardly people who’ve sold their inalienable rights for power.”