Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, highlighted the disparity in how Nigerian leaders receive treatment abroad versus at home. She made these remarks in a Facebook post on Friday evening, following praise from United States President Donald Trump.
Trump described Mrs. Tinubu as a "very respected person, too" during recent interactions. Reacting to this recognition, the First Lady expressed disappointment in the domestic response. She attributed the negativity to hate driven narratives and political manipulation.
Mrs. Tinubu stated, "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, which have also hardened their hearts."
She further condemned the actions of critics, saying, "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.”
The First Lady emphasized that such behavior undermines national unity and progress. She called for Nigerians to appreciate their leaders' contributions and foster a culture of respect.
This statement underscores ongoing discussions about public discourse in Nigeria, where social media amplifies criticism of political figures.