“Don’t Amplify My Minor Missteps” – Remi Tinubu Responds to Backlash Over Osun Governor Incident

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has addressed the controversy surrounding her actions during the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, where she reportedly confronted Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke over his singing during a speech. At the event, Tinubu was also honored with the chieftaincy title Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua.

According to reports, Governor Adeleke mounted the podium to pay tribute to the Ooni and the First Lady when Tinubu told him, “Enough with the music, or I’ll switch off the microphone,” and added that he had “five minutes to conclude” his remarks. The interaction sparked immediate public criticism, with many viewing it as disrespectful.

In response to the backlash, Tinubu posted on her Facebook page, urging Nigerians not to focus on minor missteps. “Those entrusted with leadership understand their duties and how to steer the affairs of society. More often, it is the followers and critics who scrutinize every step, amplify minor missteps, and turn them into needless controversy,” she wrote, alongside a photo of herself with Governor Adeleke.

The incident has drawn strong reactions on social media. Emmanuel Isijola, an X user with the handle @Olariches82, commented, “This is disrespectful, a wife of a President walking up to a sitting governor on stage to give instructions in this manner is wrong. Those that were around during the saga between Rotimi Amarchi and Patience Jonathan would remember an incident like this one at Okrika. We just got a replay in Osun State.”

Other users described the incident as a national disgrace. @Hollumuyiwa wrote, “Wow that’s disrespectful. I don’t think we’ve seen any First Lady behave so disrespectfully towards a sitting governor in this manner before. This is a national disgrace.” Meanwhile, @UcheDec_ criticized the approach, writing, “I give you 5 minutes as if she’s an elected official. The kind of dictatorial mannerism of Remi Tinubu is unacceptable; giving them a second tenure will spell doom for Nigerians.”

Another X user, @Pakalecimo, detailed the exchange, saying, “‘Give your speech & stop singing or I turn off the mic’ – This is the statement of our Queen Mother and wife of the president, Remi Tinubu, to his Excellency, Governor Adeleke of Osun State. The governor, shamed and intimidated, tried to hum his song to an end, but she returned with a stern look and warned him again, attempting to snatch the microphone. This is public humiliation and disgrace to the Dancing Governor. He has the legal right to file a suit against the First Lady.’”

The Osun State government has not yet issued a comment regarding the event or the public response.