Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has pushed back against the wave of public criticism that followed her now-viral interaction with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, describing the backlash as nothing more than a “needless controversy.”
In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Tuesday, the First Lady argued that minor incidents are often exaggerated in the public space, especially when leadership figures are involved. According to her, those entrusted with governance understand their responsibilities, but it is usually critics who amplify small moments and attach undue meaning to them. She concluded her response with the Yoruba phrase, “Ọṣun lè tèǹtẹ̀ – Osun is ahead,” which many interpreted as both a reassurance and a subtle admonition.
The controversy emerged from a video recorded during the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Governor Adeleke, known for his expressive and energetic public style, briefly broke into a short song while delivering his speech. The moment drew laughter from some attendees, but it also led to an unexpected interruption when Senator Tinubu approached the podium. In the widely circulated clip, she placed a hand near the microphone area, gestured towards the governor, and whispered something to him—an exchange that prompted Adeleke to pause before continuing his remarks.
Within hours, the video sparked intense debate on social media, with many users dissecting the body language, tone, and symbolism of the First Lady’s gesture. Some interpreted her approach as a harmless attempt to guide the flow of the programme, while others saw it as overstepping her role. The incident quickly grew from a brief exchange into a national talking point, amplified by political alignments, regional sentiments, and the public’s sensitivity to protocol at high-profile traditional and state events.
Among the strongest critics was Akintunde Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on the Bureau of Social Services, who insisted that Senator Tinubu’s conduct was inappropriate. Bello argued that an elected governor should not be publicly corrected in such a manner by a non-elected official, regardless of her status as First Lady. He said the act amounted to “talking down” on the governor and maintained that she should be cautioned to avoid similar gestures in the future. His statement was widely shared, particularly among Osun political circles.
Also adding to the criticism was media mogul and influential political figure Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress. Momodu described the First Lady’s action as “bullying,” accusing her of embarrassing Governor Adeleke in front of a global audience. He argued that such behaviour undermines the dignity of elected leaders and sets a poor precedent for how political figures should interact in public settings. Momodu’s comments attracted significant attention, drawing both agreement and backlash from his followers online.
However, not all reactions were hostile. Several public commentators and political actors defended Senator Tinubu, insisting that the moment had been misinterpreted. Dayo Fashola, an aide to former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, wrote on her verified Facebook page that the exchange between the First Lady and Governor Adeleke was “lighthearted” and did not deserve the level of outrage it received. She argued that social media users were reading too much meaning into an innocuous moment.
A similar defence came from Facebook user Oyetunji Ayoade, who praised Senator Tinubu’s composure and described her intervention as respectful. According to Ayoade, the highest form of regard the First Lady could show to the people of Osun was to approach the governor directly rather than sending a protocol official or making a public remark that could have been louder or more disruptive. He maintained that critics had blown the issue out of proportion.
Despite the heated reactions, both Governor Adeleke and the Presidency have maintained silence. Neither office has issued further clarification or commentary, leaving the public to debate the incident based on snippets of video and personal interpretations. Analysts say the silence may be strategic, given the political sensitivities between the ruling APC at the federal level and the PDP-led Osun State government.