Many Nigerians have been enraged with the comments of the wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, against Nigerians of the Igbo extraction.
Mrs. Tinubu, who herself is a serving Senator and Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, was seen in a video that is now viral, saying the Yoruba people must inherit the Igbos in Lagos.
It was not clear at what time she made the statement in the video but there are indications that the remarks, which appeared like jokes she was making with some people, took place about the time of the last governorship election in Lagos.
Tribal talks especially against the Igbos in Lagos had dominated political talks in the election of Mr. Akinwumi Ambode in 2015 and that of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2019.
She made the statements in the video saying, “We will invoke Lagos deities to chase away the Igbos who refused to learn our language.”
“Those that insisted not to marry the Yorubas, we will inherit their belongings.
“With how much we love Igbos, you have spoilt everything, we are also angry. You are not the only ones in the city, Hausas are here, we accommodated them. We will inherit you.”
There has been a wide trail of reactions from many social media users towards her comments in the circulating video.
SportsDokita, @Sports_Doctor2 said,
“This is RCCG “Pastor” Remi Tinubu, Tinubu’s wife and the woman that wants to be “First Lady”, God Abeg.”
General 2tyte, @GeneralSpending commented,
“There is no joke here. It is the truth. Igbos are hard to live with. You can’t dominate a place that isn’t yours. The moment you learn to respect people and their culture the better. If you like twist whatever she might have said she is 100% right”
@AkiimReid1 said,
“This is DEMONIC and the government didn’t hear this? How else can anyone define tribalism and hate? Hating Igbos can’t wipe them off the surface of the earth. This words actually stinks of hate for the Igbos. I AM NOT IGBO, But supports Fairness, oneness, equity and justice.”
Shehu Gazali Sadaq @Shehusky said,
“I wondered why people expected Remi Tinubu to be a godly and well behaved woman. A wife of a drug Lord can never be virtuous woman. RCCG ordained her as a pastor to enjoy some share of the wealth and not because she’s called by God. May she never be Nigerian first lady.”
Another twitter user @teewave2000 said,
“Don’t get it twisted though, I love Peter Obi passionately and he remains my president but please don’t drag or rubbish my culture. It is Unacceptable. Deal with individual accordingly. Remi Tinubu does not represent the whole Yoruba. Most of us are too educated to be tribalistic.”
@firstladyship said, “Remi Tinubu is classless & tasteless, a tribal bigot. Mrs Margaret Brownson Obi is the only incoming First Lady we know.”
The comment, in a political atmosphere already charged with tribal and religious sentiments is seen as a possible drawback on the campaigns of her husband who has been seen making efforts to show that Nigerians of all class, tribes and religions are one and the same.
The anti-Tinubu elements are believed to have seen the comment as another weapon to use against the APC presidential candidate.
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, had been accused of telling Igbos in Lagos in 2015 to either vote for the APC candidate or perish in the Lagoon. The comment had sparked nationwide outrage.