Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has addressed the online storm over her brief exchange with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Ooni of Ife’s 10th coronation anniversary, describing the resulting public outcry as a needless distraction from substantive issues. The moment unfolded on December 7, 2025, during the grand finale of a week-long celebration at the palace in Ile-Ife, an event themed “10 Years of Aṣé: A Reign of Peace, Culture and Unity,” which drew dignitaries from across the nation and diaspora to honour Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II.
The interaction, which quickly became the focus of national discourse, occurred as Governor Adeleke took the podium to deliver his tribute. Known for his lively style, Adeleke paused to break into a short chant praising God and the Ooni, eliciting chuckles from the audience. In response, Mrs Tinubu, who had earlier received the chieftaincy title of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua, approached the stage, made a gentle hand gesture, and whispered to him. When he continued briefly, she returned and was heard in the circulating video clip stating, “I will turn off the microphone. Stop the music,” before adding that he had five minutes to wrap up his speech.
This clip spread rapidly across social media platforms within hours, igniting a fierce debate. Critics condemned the interaction as disrespectful and an overreach by the First Lady toward an elected official. African Democratic Congress leader Dele Momodu labeled it “bullying,” asserting that Mrs Tinubu had “openly disgraced and embarrassed Adeleke before a global audience.” Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, questioned the footage’s authenticity before describing the act as an “abuse of power” unbefitting a democracy. Akintunde Bello, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adeleke on Social Services, urged that the First Lady “be cautioned” for what he perceived as an inappropriate gesture.
Social media users amplified these views, with one post stating, “Adeleke is the elected Governor of Osun State, Remi Tinubu is a deluded Empress she has no office and wasn’t elected.” Another lamented the tone as “disgraceful and belittling of a sitting Governor.”
Conversely, defenders framed the exchange as harmless and light-hearted, rooted in the cultural and procedural context of a tightly scheduled event. Dayo Fashola, an aide to former Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, posted that “what transpired… was light-hearted and isn’t as serious as people are making it seem.” Others highlighted the respect shown by the First Lady personally delivering the message, with one observer noting, “The highest respect the First Lady can give to Osun people is to stand up and inform him by herself, and she did.”
In her first public response on Wednesday, Mrs Tinubu downplayed the furore via her verified Facebook page.
Accompanying a photo of herself beside Governor Adeleke, she wrote: “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. Ọṣun lè tèǹtẹ̀ Osun is ahead.”
