Activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam has condemned First Lady Remi Tinubu for allegedly ordering Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to turn off his microphone during a public event in Ile-Ife, calling it treasonable.

In a statement, Idam argued that the Office of the First Lady is a non-state actor with no legal foundation under Nigerian law and cannot issue orders to an elected governor in his own state.

The incident occurred on Sunday during the First Lady’s installation as Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua, when a video went viral showing Governor Adeleke singing worship songs while delivering a speech. Reports said Oluremi Tinubu threatened to switch off his microphone during the event.

Idam stated:

“Yesterday, the Executive Governor of Osun State was publicly bullied off the stage in his own state by the wife of the President. It is mutinous, if not treasonable, for a non-state actor like the First Lady to issue commands against an elected governor. The Office of the First Lady has no constitutional or statutory powers and cannot legally issue orders against elected public officers.”

He emphasized that the presidency is neither hereditary nor transferred through marital ties, and that such conduct undermines Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

“The First Lady’s actions toward Governor Adeleke are unacceptable and must be condemned. Nigeria must not slide into a situation where relatives of office holders assume official powers by right,” Idam added.

The statement highlights ongoing debates about the constitutional limits of the First Lady’s office and the proper conduct toward elected officials in Nigeria.