First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has issued a strong appeal for Nigerians to show greater respect and support for the nation’s leaders, condemning what she describes as a rising tide of online hostility and politically motivated hatred.
In a Facebook post on Friday night, Mrs. Tinubu expressed concern over a perceived contradiction where Nigerian leaders are celebrated internationally yet face intense criticism and ridicule at home.”Most of our leaders are highly respected and honoured abroad, yet many Nigerians fail to value what they have because of hatred and the narratives planted in their minds by political paymasters,” she wrote.
The First Lady specifically targeted the culture on social media, stating that citizens often “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.”
She emphasised that national progress depends on unity and collective effort. “Nigeria is built on love, unity, and collective effort toward shared success. Let us come together to support our respected leaders and work hand in hand with them to make our country great,” she added.
The remarks follow a public compliment from United States President Donald Trump, who described Mrs. Tinubu as a “very respected woman” at the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. She was recognized at the event for her work in faith-based initiatives and women’s empowerment.
