A former governorship candidate in Ondo State, Abass Mimiko, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over the public reaction to her recent remarks encouraging Nigerians to explore small-scale entrepreneurial ventures, describing the criticism as politically driven.
Mimiko, who previously contested the state’s governorship election under the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), said the controversy surrounding the First Lady’s comments had been deliberately amplified by political opponents seeking to undermine the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an interaction with members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Mimiko argued that the remarks had been taken out of context and unfairly portrayed in the public sphere.
According to him, the backlash was less about the substance of the First Lady’s statement and more about efforts by critics to score political points against the current government.
Mimiko maintained that the role of the First Lady extends beyond ceremonial duties, noting that providing support to the President and contributing to national stability are important aspects of her responsibilities.
He said President Tinubu is currently implementing difficult but necessary reforms aimed at addressing long-standing economic and governance challenges facing the country. Such measures, he argued, are bound to generate resistance from groups whose interests are affected by the changes.
The former governorship aspirant cited key policy decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidies and measures intended to improve transparency in the management of oil revenues, as examples of reforms that have disrupted entrenched interests.
According to him, both local and international actors who benefited from previous arrangements may be uncomfortable with the administration’s efforts to alter the status quo.
Mimiko also called for greater recognition of the First Lady’s contributions through the Renewed Hope Initiative, highlighting programmes focused on healthcare, social welfare, and women’s development.
He pointed to interventions in areas such as breast cancer awareness and treatment, tuberculosis control, support for widows and families of fallen military personnel, food assistance programmes, and economic empowerment initiatives targeted at women and vulnerable groups.
In his view, these achievements should receive more public attention than the debate generated by her recent comments on small business opportunities.
He further argued that, unlike elected officials, the First Lady occupies a unique position and should be assessed based on her contributions to social development and support for national causes rather than being subjected to excessive political criticism.
Mimiko concluded by urging Nigerians to acknowledge the First Lady’s efforts, saying her initiatives have positively impacted many communities and deserve appreciation rather than condemnation.
Criticism of First Lady’s Business Advice Politically Motivated, Says Mimiko
