- Safiu Kehinde
Popular Nigerian publisher and former Presidential candidate, Dele Momodu, has called out the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) over the conduct of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu against Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
NPO Reported that Tinubu had at the event, held on Sunday, publicly stopped the governor from his prolonged singing and dancing before delivering his address.
The moment captured in a viral video shared on X showed the First Lady walked up to Adeleke and charged him to hurry up with his address.
She could be heard giving him five minutes to conclude his address before heading to return to her seat.
However, Adeleke’s attempt to conclude his song forced the First Lady to return to the podium to warn the governor.
Addressing him in Yoruba, the First Lady warned him of her possible exit from the event if he failed to stick to the time allotted to him.
Reacting to the development in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Momodu faulted the First Lady’s action which he considered an insult to Adeleke.
The Ovation International Publisher expressed his disappointment with the action coming from a self-professed Pastor of the Redeemed church.
Momodu held that the church must be embarrassed over the First Lady’s alleged bully and prevention of Adeleke from praising God.
He asked whether Tinubu would have dared such against a northern governor reciting a Qoran.
“This latest tirade against an elected Governor was totally beneath her for several reasons: She’s not an elected officer of government and has no role assigned to her in the Constitution of the Federal Republic.
“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.
“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.
“Would she have tried this with a Northern Governor reciting the Holy Koran before a speech?” Momodu said.
The publisher however blamed Nigerians who voted for her husband, President Bola Tinubu, and allow her go on rampage.
“Why does she think her family owns Nigeria and can publicly go on rampage as she wishes.
“Many commentators have said she was lucky that Governor Ademola Adeleke is a perfect gentleman. But I can’t really blame MRS OLUREMI TINUBU.
“I blame the squeamish Nigerians who chose to be voluntary slaves in their own country. Shame on the cowardly people who’ve sold their inalienable rights for power.” He added.
Meanwhle, Momodu recalled experiencing similar ordeal in the hand of the First Lady during their encounter at the funeral of late Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson.
“We had met at the funeral of CHIEF MRS KEMI NELSON, inside the holy sanctuary of the ARCHBISHOP VINING MEMORIAL CHURCH in Ikeja GRA, Lagos… “Good morning Ma,” I said, most respectfully.
“Standing by were Dr Femi Olowolafe and Senator Tokunbo Abiru. Suddenly, there was an explosion, totally unprovoked.
“Mrs Tinubu went like, “Bob Dee, you mean you won’t campaign for my husband?”
“I wasted no time in responding: “I can’t Ma, I’m in a different party!!” Her Excellency was livid. She said things that were not factual but out of respect for “Uncle Bola” I let it slip.” Momodu said.