Nigerians have rejected First lady Oluremi Tinubu’s claims that her husband President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders were being bullied at home, but received honour abroad.
Mrs. Tinubu was in Washington DC the US capitol for a faith leaders breakfast meeting. She was lavishly praised by President Donald Trump.
Reflecting on the moment the First Lady noted that she and political leaders received no such accolades at home, but rather it is critical remarks and abuse.
“Most of our leaders are highly respected and honored abroad, yet many Nigerians fail to value what they have because of hatred and the narratives planted in their minds by political paymasters, which have also hardened their hearts.
“They bully these leaders, speak ill of them, demean them, curse them, and even seize upon their mistakes to drag them across social media, ridiculing and mocking them publicly – Nigeria is built on love, unity, and collective effort toward shared success,” Mrs Tinubu wrote on her Facebook social media platform Friday.
But she was reminded that no politician who does the job they were elected to do gets such treatment.
A Facebook user, Shamsudeen Tatah, said “Respect abroad doesn’t erase accountability at home. Nigerians are not “haters” for demanding results, they’re citizens reacting to hardship, broken promises, and poor governance. Criticism is not bullying; it’s a democratic right. Love for country means speaking truth to power, not worshipping leaders while people suffer.”
Another Facebook user, Livinus Otutu, said “First lady, criticizing leaders isn’t bullying, it’s citizens exercising their rights. Demanding accountability isn’t being a hater, it’s patriotism. Love for country means calling out injustice, not turning a blind eye. Respect on the global stage doesn’t mean ignoring failures at home.”
Tinubu and Macron, First Lady at the background.