Media entrepreneur and publisher of Ovation International Dele Momodu has criticised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for cautioning Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke from singing during her installation as Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodu’a at Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Mr Momodu expressed his views in a statement on Instagram on Monday night titled, “Why You Can’t Blame Mrs Oluremi Tinubu.”
In the statement, he recounted receiving a call from a team member in Ile-Ife who informed him of the incident involving Mrs Tinubu and Governor Adeleke during the ceremony at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
According to Momodu, Mrs Tinubu’s public rebuke of an elected governor was inappropriate.
He stated that her position as First Lady does not grant her any constitutional authority to interrupt or caution a state governor in such a manner.
He also faulted her reaction to Adeleke’s singing of worship songs, saying it was unusual for a Christian leader to object to someone praising God.
“It is totally repugnant to openly disgrace, insult, and bully the Chief Executive of Osun State before a global audience, including his own wife. She went too far,” Momodu said.
He continued, “It is unbelievable that a self-professed pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God would frown at a governor praising God. Her church should be very embarrassed.”
Momodu added that Mrs Tinubu would not have reacted the same way if a northern governor had recited verses from the Quran, questioning what he described as a sense of entitlement by the First Lady.
The media executive, who has known the Adeleke family for decades and supported Governor Adeleke’s political journey, described him as a “perfect gentleman” for maintaining composure during the exchange.
The Ovation publisher has been a close ally of the Adeleke family, often referring to the governor as his “brother” and “family.”
Dele Momodu further said that while Mrs Tinubu’s behaviour was inappropriate, Nigerians should also share blame for allowing leaders to act without restraint.
“I can’t really blame Mrs Oluremi Tinubu. I blame the squeamish Nigerians who chose to be voluntary slaves in their own country,” he wrote.
The First Lady’s encounter with Governor Adeleke occurred on Sunday during her installation as Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodu’a.
The title was conferred on her by the Ooni of Ife as part of activities marking his 10th coronation anniversary.
During his speech, Governor Ademola Adeleke sang Christian worship songs, prompting Mrs Tinubu to approach the podium and warn him to stop singing or she would switch off the microphone.
The video of the incident has since gone viral, drawing mixed reactions online.
While some defended Oluremi Tinubu’s attempt to manage time, others described the exchange as disrespectful to the governor.
