‘Needless Controversy’, Oluremi Tinubu shrugs off Adeleke video backlash

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has waved aside the public uproar trailing her brief interaction with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, describing the controversy as needless and driven by people who magnify the trivial in order to distract from substance.

In a statement released on her Facebook page on Tuesday, Mrs Tinubu suggested that those entrusted with leadership understand their roles, while it is often spectators who amplify ordinary moments into national debates.

“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,” she wrote.

Her comments mark the First Lady’s first public reaction to a viral video from the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, where she was seen approaching Governor Adeleke during his remarks.

In the clip, the governor paused briefly after leading a short rendition, prompting Mrs Tinubu to move toward the podium, gesture subtly and whisper a remark to him, a moment that snowballed into heated online debate.

The incident sparked a torrent of reactions across political and social media circles.

Akintunde Bello, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adeleke on the Bureau of Social Services, criticised the First Lady’s gesture, dismissing it as inappropriate and insisting that such conduct should be cautioned.

Similarly, prominent ADC chieftain and publisher, Dele Momodu, accused her of “bullying” the governor and claimed she had embarrassed him before a global audience.

Yet the backlash was far from one-sided. Supporters of the First Lady argued that the episode had been blown out of proportion.

Dayo Fashola, an aide to former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, described the exchange as harmless and light-hearted, insisting that online commentators were deliberately exaggerating the moment.

A Facebook user, Oyetunji Ayoade, also defended her, noting that Mrs Tinubu demonstrated respect by walking up personally to the governor rather than summoning him.

For now, the incident continues to dominate online conversation as users dissect the video frame by frame.

Neither Governor Adeleke nor the Presidency has issued further clarification, leaving the public to trade interpretations. But in her statement, Mrs Tinubu appeared determined to move on, signalling that she would not be dragged into what she considers a distraction from more pressing national issues.

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