Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has described the public outcry that trailed her brief interaction with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, during the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as an unnecessary distraction. In a statement released on her official Facebook page on Tuesday, Mrs Tinubu dismissed the criticisms as exaggerated reactions fueled by those intent on scrutinising every move of public officials.
The First Lady wrote that leaders understand the responsibilities entrusted to them, but observers often create storms out of insignificant moments. “Those entrusted with leadership understand their duties and how to steer the affairs of society. The episode has since divided opinion. More often, it is the followers and critics who scrutinise every step, amplify minor missteps, and turn them into needless controversy. Ọṣun lè tèǹtẹ̀ – Osun is ahead,” she said.
Her remarks followed the viral circulation of a video clip recorded at the Ooni’s anniversary event in Ile-Ife, which showed Governor Adeleke briefly interjecting his speech with a short musical chant, prompting Mrs Tinubu to walk toward the podium, make a gesture, and whisper something to him. The moment generated strong reactions online, with some viewers accusing the First Lady of being disrespectful to an elected governor.
Though the video clip was only a few seconds long, it quickly stirred debates across social media platforms, with many interpreting the interaction differently. Some critics argued that the gesture appeared to undermine the governor’s authority in a public setting, while others viewed it as a harmless, even courteous intervention.
Shortly after the video went viral, Akintunde Bello, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adeleke on the Bureau of Social Services, criticised Mrs Tinubu’s action. He insisted that the First Lady should be cautioned, arguing that her approach toward the governor was inappropriate and could be interpreted as a breach of protocol. Bello added that the incident portrayed a lack of respect for the office of the governor, especially at a high-profile cultural event.
Political commentator and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, also condemned the gesture. In a strongly worded opinion shared on social media, Momodu described Mrs Tinubu’s conduct as bullying, stating that Adeleke had been “openly disgraced and embarrassed before a global audience.” He maintained that the act was unbecoming of a First Lady and urged public figures to exercise caution when dealing with elected officials.
However, not all reactions were negative. Supporters of the First Lady and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have defended her, arguing that the criticisms were unfounded and blown out of proportion by political opponents. An aide to former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Dayo Fashola, dismissed the uproar as unnecessary. She described the exchange between Mrs Tinubu and Gov. Adeleke as lighthearted and harmless. “What transpired between Oluremi Tinubu and Adeleke was light-hearted and isn’t as serious as people are making it seem,” Fashola wrote on her verified Facebook page.
Another commentator, Oyetunji Ayoade, expressed a similar view, noting that the First Lady’s action could even be seen as respectful. “The highest respect the First Lady can give to Osun people is to stand up and inform him by herself, and she did,” he wrote. According to Ayoade, the gesture demonstrated courtesy rather than condescension.
Despite the ongoing public debate, neither Governor Adeleke nor the Presidency has released an official statement addressing the incident. The Osun State Government has also refrained from making further comments beyond Bello’s initial criticism. Observers note that the silence from both camps may be tactical, aimed at preventing further escalation of the controversy.
The 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, a major cultural and traditional event attended by prominent political figures and dignitaries from across the country, was expected to be a unifying moment. Instead, the brief exchange between the First Lady and the Osun governor overshadowed many of the event’s highlights.
Political analysts suggest that the incident is symptomatic of Nigeria’s hypercharged political environment, where even minor interactions between public figures are often interpreted through partisan lenses. They warn that such controversies distract from substantive governance issues.
In her closing remarks, the First Lady urged Nigerians to focus on unity and progress rather than divisive interpretations of public interactions. She emphasised that leaders operate with a clear understanding of their responsibilities and that undue scrutiny over small matters only creates distractions.
As discussions continue online and offline, many Nigerians are divided on whether the gesture was inappropriate or harmless. What remains clear is that in the age of instant recording and rapid social media diffusion, public figures are under unprecedented levels of scrutiny — and even the smallest gestures can spark national debate.
