An Open Letter to Nigeria’s First Lady: Give Honour to whom Honour is due

Dear Mrs. Remi Tinubu,

With due respect to your office, I write as a citizen of Osun State to address your unfortunate conduct at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife. Your public interruption of Governor Ademola Adeleke was not only inappropriate but deeply disrespectful and we, the people of Osun State, will not allow it to pass without comment.

Let me be abundantly clear: a total stranger does not dictate to a landlord how to run his affairs.

Governor Adeleke was invited to speak at an event in his own state, Osun State, where he is the chief executive. He chose to begin his remarks with a worship song, as is his well-known custom and personal style. This is a man who connects with his people through joy, song, and celebration.

Were you appointed as the MC of this event? Were you given authority to direct proceedings? The answer, clearly, is no.
Your decision to leave your seat, not once, but twice to instruct a sitting governor on how to deliver his speech was an overreach of monumental proportions. And to threaten to have his microphone switched off? Madam, who are you to issue such threats to a democratically elected governor in his own state?

If you were in a hurry to leave, it was not necessary to come early and sit through to the end of the event. You could have come inside and left quietly. We own our state and we have our protocols. It is none of your business to come to the podium to stop Mr. Governor from talking. It is not going to be acceptable. It is appalling.

Respect is Reciprocal

Perhaps you have forgotten a fundamental principle: respect is reciprocal. Governor Adeleke is not your subordinate. He is a husband, a father, a leader elected by the people of Osun State. He is answerable to us, his constituents, not to you.

If you harbor egocentric tendencies or a need to control every situation, may I respectfully suggest you exercise such impulses within your own household? Direct them toward your husband if you must, but do not bring that energy to our governor in our state. We will not tolerate it.

Do you realize you were speaking to a husband of another woman, a woman of your own gender? Where was your understanding of basic courtesy? A woman of your status should understand that treating another person’s husband with such public disrespect reflects poorly not just on you, but on the so-called office you represent.

An Apology is Non-Negotiable

Madam First Lady, you owe Governor Adeleke and the entire people of Osun State an unreserved apology. Your actions were unbecoming of your position, and they have not gone unnoticed.

If you believe you can act with such tyranny and impunity, let me assure you: Osun State will not settle for this nonsense. We are watching. We remember. And if this disrespect continues, if you and your husband refuse to put things right and acknowledge when you have overstepped, 2027 is coming.

Elections have consequences, and so does disrespect.
Put Some Respect on Our Governor’s Name.

Governor Adeleke may dance, he may sing, he may bring joy wherever he goes, but make no mistake, he is our governor. He was chosen by us, and he represents us with pride and dignity. If you cannot extend him the basic courtesy his office demands, then you have no business attending events in our state.

This is not a plea. This is a demand. Apologize to Governor Adeleke. Apologize to Osun State. And going forward, remember who you are addressing.

Respect is reciprocal! Learn it! Live it!