Former presidential candidate Dele Momodu has strongly criticized Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for publicly embarrassing and insulting Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke during a recent event.
According to reports, a small drama unfolded in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
A video shared online shows Governor Adeleke singing during his speech, which entertained the crowd. Senator Tinubu then approached the podium and quietly told him to finish his speech quickly.
“I’ll give you five minutes to conclude your speech. Enough with the music, or I’ll switch off the microphone,” the First Lady was heard saying.
Reacting to this, Dele Momodu posted on Instagram that he had also experienced a similar public outburst from Senator Tinubu but chose to ignore it out of respect for President Bola Tinubu.
Momodu, a leader in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the recent behavior towards Governor Adeleke was beneath the First Lady. He reminded that she is not an elected official and has no constitutional role.
He found it hard to believe that Senator Tinubu, who calls herself a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, would disapprove of a Governor praising God.
Momodu also questioned if she would have acted the same way if a Northern Governor was reciting the Holy Koran before speaking.
He wrote about a call from a colleague who told him, “Sir, your Sister has done it again,” referring to the First Lady’s insult of Governor Adeleke.
Momodu shared a past experience at a funeral where Senator Tinubu angrily confronted him about not campaigning for her husband. Despite her anger, he chose to remain respectful.
He questioned if she would have behaved the same way with a Northern Governor reciting the Koran, criticizing the belief that her family owns Nigeria and can act without limits. Many people noted that Governor Adeleke was very patient and respectful despite the insult.
Momodu blamed not just the First Lady but also Nigerians who accept such behavior without standing up for their rights. He called on citizens to stop being “voluntary slaves” in their own country and condemned those who trade their rights for power.
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