The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has criticised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, over what he described as her failure to publicly intervene in efforts to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State.
He warned that the First Lady’s actions could have political consequences for President Bola Tinubu ahead of future elections.
“Mama Tinubu, you will make Tinubu lose. You will lose this election if you are not careful, because you don’t care for these children. Be careful. Nigerians are not happy, and you are campaigning,” he said.
His comments followed recent public engagements by the First Lady, including the donation of vehicles to women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in five opposition-controlled states during the inauguration of the Tinubu Torchbearers (TTB) support group at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The beneficiaries included APC women leaders from Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Osun and Oyo states. Senator Tinubu said the vehicles would be delivered before the end of the week and would belong to the recipients personally rather than the party.
Reacting in a video posted on his Facebook page, Primate Ayodele questioned the First Lady’s priorities amid growing national concern over insecurity and the abduction of schoolchildren.
“I don’t know why Mummy Tinubu is doing this. You gathered women. You didn’t do what Jonathan’s wife did. You didn’t campaign for these children to be brought back. Instead, you are only talking about vehicles for states,” he said.
Primate Ayodele also issued warnings regarding national security and the Tinubu administration, claiming internal resistance within the security system and possible changes in the service chiefs.
“There are people in the security field who don’t want it to work,” he said.
He further alleged that President Tinubu may soon overhaul his security leadership, adding that dissatisfaction exists within the administration over handling of insecurity.
“He may change them anytime. The service chiefs will soon go,” he said.
His remarks come weeks after the President appointed retired Major General Adeyinka Famadewa as Special Adviser on Homeland Security to strengthen coordination and intelligence efforts in tackling security threats across the country.
