Opposition twisted Oluremi Tinubu’s ‘small business’ comment

A former governorship candidate in Nigeria's Ondo State, Abass Mimiko, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu against what he calls politically motivated attacks. Mimiko asserts that criticism of her "small business" advice, specifically mentioning groundnuts and kulikuli, is an attempt by the opposition to derail President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms.

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This is mischief. The elite and the opposition are making a mountain out of nothing.

Mimiko, brother of former Ondo Governor Olusegun Mimiko, described the controversy as "unnecessary" and driven by mischief. He believes the First Lady's remarks were deliberately misrepresented by the political elite to discredit the administration. He emphasized that Oluremi Tinubu is not an elected official but is actively supporting her husband's agenda through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

"The elite and the opposition to her husband are trying to make a mountain out of this," Mimiko stated, adding that the First Lady has done an "excellent job" supporting the President. He argued that her primary role is to ensure stability on the home front for the President, a task whose value cannot be quantified.

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The elite and the opposition to her husband are trying to make a mountain out of this. Oluremi Tinubu is not an elected public office holder.

Mimiko also highlighted the tough decisions President Tinubu is making, such as removing fuel subsidies and reforming oil revenue accountability, which he says have unsettled powerful local and international syndicates. He praised the First Lady's Renewed Hope Initiative for its significant interventions in healthcare, women's empowerment, and humanitarian support, including programs for breast cancer prevention, tuberculosis control, and aid to widows and orphans of military personnel. He insisted these achievements deserve more attention than the recent controversy.

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If you ask me, the primary job of the First Lady is to be handler-in-chief of the home front of the Commander-in-Chief. She is to keep our President safe, well cared for, healthy and happy.

"You don’t remove fuel subsidy, you don’t tell everybody that proceeds from crude oil must go into NNPC accounts before export without stepping on powerful toes," Mimiko said, explaining the resistance to the President's economic policies.

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You don’t remove fuel subsidy, you don’t tell everybody that proceeds from crude oil must go into NNPC accounts before export without stepping on powerful toes.