Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has addressed the public discussion surrounding her encounter with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, during the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife.
The reaction follows a widely circulated video from the event in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday, which coincided with the First Lady’s installation as Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua.
The footage showed Governor Adeleke singing worship songs while delivering a speech at the ceremony.
It was at this point that she intervened, telling him: “Enough with the music, or I’ll switch off the microphone,” before instructing him that he had “five minutes to conclude” his message.
Amid public reactions, Mrs Tinubu took to her Facebook page on Tuesday to address the controversy.
Posting a picture of herself standing with Governor Adeleke, she wrote that public figures are often judged harshly for actions that might otherwise be overlooked.
In her words, “Those entrusted with leadership understand their duties and how to steer the affairs of society. More often, it is the followers and critics who scrutinise every step, amplify minor missteps, and turn them into needless controversy.”
Her remark has done little to quell the online backlash.
At the time of this report, the Osun State Government has yet to issue an official statement or respond to the growing public criticism.
