Lagos APC Defends Oluremi Tinubu Over Osun Controversy
Re: Remi Tinubu Sparks Debate After Advising Governor Adeleke to Focus on Governance
When Counsel Becomes Controversy: Defending the Sanctity of Governance
The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rises in firm and unequivocal defence of the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Oluremi Tinubu, over her well-intentioned, measured, and patriotic counsel to the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, to focus squarely on the serious business of governance rather than frequent public performances.
Mrs Tinubu’s intervention, made at a culturally significant gathering hosted by the revered Ooni of Ife, was neither malicious, demeaning, nor condescending. It was a timely reminder rooted in statesmanship, motherly wisdom, and genuine concern for the dignity of public office and the expectations of the good people of Osun State.
Let it be stated without equivocation: governance is not a vocation for entertainment, but a sacred mandate entrusted by the people. Public office demands focus, discipline, emotional intelligence, and an unswerving commitment to service delivery. While culture, creativity, and self-expression have their place in society, they must never eclipse the enormous weight of leadership responsibility. Indeed, everything has its place and its time – just as it would rightly incur the wrath of a host if an entertainer chose to sing a dirge at a wedding reception. Context, judgement, and restraint are the hallmarks of responsible conduct.
Furthermore, the prudent management of precious time – at public functions and in all official engagements – is itself a defining hallmark of good leadership. Every hour misspent on avoidable theatrics is an hour stolen from policy execution, service delivery, and the urgent business of improving the lives of the people. Serious governance demands serious time discipline.
Over time, it has sadly become an aberration that the only discernible takeaway for many members of the public from events where Governor Ademola Adeleke appears as special guest is merely a dose of entertainment – an indulgence that is ultimately unhelpful to their destiny and offers no solution to their daily struggles. Governance must inspire hope through policy, not distraction through performance.
At a time when Osun State grapples with urgent economic, social, and infrastructural challenges, the people deserve a Governor whose public image is defined less by theatrics and more by measurable outcomes in education, healthcare, security, youth employment, and inclusive development. Leadership is not sustained by applause; it is sustained by performance.
It is therefore disingenuous and intellectually dishonest for anyone to frame Mrs Tinubu’s advice as an attack. On the contrary, it was a patriotic nudge to preserve the sanctity of the Osun mandate and protect the dignity of the Governor’s office. History is unkind to leaders who confuse cheers with competence and popularity with productivity.
Governor Adeleke must appreciate that the world is watching. Every action, every appearance, and every utterance shapes how Osun State is perceived by investors, development partners, and the broader Nigerian public. Leadership demands gravitas – not gimmicks.
As the countdown to the next Osun State gubernatorial election gathers momentum, it must be clearly understood that the electorate will not be swayed by choreographic ingenuity or stage dexterity, but by tangible achievements, measurable development, and concrete impact on their daily lives. Elections are not won on dance floors but in the hearts of citizens whose lives have been positively transformed by purposeful leadership. It would be a monumental irony – and indeed a tragic political miscalculation – if the opposition becomes more persuasive not necessarily by superior ideas or governance records, but merely as a result of a misplaced entertainment retinue masquerading as leadership.
The Lagos APC therefore urges Governor Adeleke to heed wise counsel, recalibrate his public conduct, and fully immerse himself in the hard, demanding business of governance. The Osun mandate is far too precious to be eroded by avoidable optics that trivialize leadership.
Nigeria needs builders, not performers.
The electorate voted for service, not choreography.
Mogaji (Hon) Seye Oladejo
Lagos APC Spokesman
10/12/25
