Posted by Samuel on Tue 09th Dec, 2025 - tori.ng
In a statement he signed, Idam said the Office of the First Lady must be reminded that it is a non-state actor, adding that the office has no foundation in Nigerian law.
Activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam has said it is treasonable for First Lady Remi Tinubu to order Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to turn off his microphone during an event in Ile-Ife.
Idam said it’s treasonable for the president’s wife to give the governor an order in his state.
In a statement he signed, Idam said the Office of the First Lady must be reminded that it is a non-state actor, adding that the office has no foundation in Nigerian law.
Oluremi Tinubu had threatened to switch off Governor Adeleke’s microphone for singing at an event.
The incident took place in Ile-Ife, Osun State on Sunday, during the First Lady’s installation as Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua.
A trending video on social media captured the governor singing worship songs while giving a speech at the event.
Reacting, Idam said: “Give your speech and stop singing or I turnoff of the Mic.
“Yesterday, the Executive Governor of Osun State was in a brigadier fashion, bullied off the stage at a public function in Ile-Ife, in his own state, by the wife of the President, as usual, many Nigerians understandably have expressed no concern about it.
“Such news doesn’t seriously interest the youths of Nigeria, hence it is not about leaked sex tap, matrimonial saga, nude videos, or such other frivolities.
“Fact is, it is mutinous if not treasonable to say the least, for a non-state actor like the wife of the president, to issue commands against an elected governor in his state, may be an exaggerated exhibition of influence or pomposity taken too far whichever, must be condemned.
“The Office of the First Lady must be reminded that it is a non state actor, the office has no foundation in Nigerian law. It is neither recognized by the Constitution nor created by any statute.
“Consequently, it possesses no official powers, cannot issue orders, cannot represent the government at public functions, and is legally incapable of issuing speeches or pronouncements against an elected public officer, not even against an elected counselor of a ward, who is under the law superior to her office.
“It must be emphasized that the presidency is neither hereditary nor passed on through marital ties.
“The conduct toward the Governor by the wife of the president is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy and must be condemned. Nigeria must not be watched to descend into anarchy, where relatives of an office holder assume the powers of the office as if it were by right.”