Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has sharply criticized First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu over her handling of the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State. He accused her of failing to exhibit the maternal qualities expected during such a crisis.
Ayodele's Criticism of the First Lady
Speaking during an engagement with women on Friday, Ayodele expressed deep disappointment, stating that the First Lady's silence on the incident could negatively impact President Bola Tinubu's chances in the 2027 general elections. He compared her response unfavorably to that of former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, who actively advocated for the safe return of abducted children during national crises.
“Remi Tinubu, you will make Tinubu lose the 2027 election. You did not behave like a mother at all. You should have done what Jonathan’s wife did,” Ayodele said. “You never protested and demanded that these Oyo schoolchildren be brought back. Instead, you were busy distributing cars for political campaigns. I will tell you the truth.”
Context of the Abduction
Ayodele's remarks come amid widespread public concern over the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State and growing calls for intensified efforts to secure their release and improve national security. The cleric also referenced the First Lady's recent donation of vehicles to women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in five opposition-controlled states. The vehicles were presented during the inauguration of the Tinubu Torchbearers (TTB), a pro-Tinubu support group, held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
Mixed Reactions to Vehicle Donation
The donation has elicited mixed reactions from the public. Some have questioned the timing of the gesture given the prevailing security challenges, while supporters have defended it as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots political mobilization ahead of future elections. As of the time of filing this report, neither the Office of the First Lady nor the Presidency had responded to Ayodele's remarks.
