In a move that has kept Nigeria talking, First Lady Remi Tinubu has finally reacted to the uproar surrounding her now viral moment with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the tenth coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in Ile Ife.
The flashpoint came on Sunday, during an event that also saw the Ooni install Mrs Tinubu as Yeye Asiwaju, mirroring her husband’s Asiwaju traditional title. A video from the ceremony stormed social media, showing the first lady marching to the podium where Governor Adeleke was about to give his remarks. She firmly instructed him to stop singing and to keep his speech within five minutes.
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Adeleke paused briefly, seemingly out of courtesy, but then resumed his worship song. Before she could take her seat, Mrs Tinubu turned back and reinforced her directive, warning she would seize the microphone if the singing continued. The exchange, delivered in Yoruba, ended with the governor joking that protocol had asked him to stop, before he proceeded with his remarks.
Nigeria, as always, picked sides. Critics accused the first lady of disrespecting a sitting governor. Others insisted the moment was overblown.
On Tuesday morning, Mrs Tinubu took to Facebook to address the growing backlash without directly mentioning the video. In a tone that signaled no remorse, she described the entire uproar as an exaggerated reaction to “minor missteps.”
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“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. Osun le tente,” she wrote.
Her response has added fuel to an already buzzing conversation nationwide, with many wondering whether this was a harmless protocol correction or a public slight that crossed the line.
