Drama as banners addressing two wives of Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, as first lady surfaced on social media.
The two wives, namely Chief. Mrs. Titi Adeleke and Amb. Erelu Ngozi Abeni Adeleke, according to these banners, were laying claim to the Office of the First Lady in the State.
Recall that some newspapers, including WITHIN NIGERIA, had earlier reported that the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is billed to be in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, on Tuesday for the opening of the Alternative High School for Girls at Oke D.O. Ilesa Road.
Findings by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that the struggle for the First Lady position among the two women is not new, as both have continued to participate in state activities, including organizing events where both were addressed as First Ladies since the inception of their husband’s administration.
According to findings, Governor Ademola Adeleke, on February 8, 2024, approved the appointment of Nwaru Caroline Oluchi as personal assistant (PA) to the First Lady of Osun State, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, as reported by Vanguard Newspaper.
As of the time of filing this report, there’s no official release from the state government that a personal assistant (PA) to chief. Mrs. Titi Adeleke was either approved or announced. Some sources claimed that Ngozi Adeleke is the governor’s favorite and preferably his choice, but some forces prefer Titi Adeleke being the first wife.
However, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, on September 23, 2024, addressed the First Lady of Osun State and appealed to the federal government to build an airport in Osogbo for the speedy social and economic development of the state.
The plea was made when she met with the minister of aviation and aerospace, Festus Keyamo, on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
On December 17, 2023, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke paid a visit to the Lord’s Heritage Orphanage Home in Oke Gada, Ede, Osun State, where she donated cash and other gift items. This visit by Ngozi Adeleke was barely seven days after Mrs. Titilola Adeleke donated food items, toiletries, and disinfectant to three orphanages in Osogbo and Ilesa.
On February 19, 2024, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, addressed as a First Lady, enrolled 30 Osun grassroots youth in skill acquisition under her NGO, Esther Adeleke Humanitarian Foundation, while Chief Mrs. Titi Adeleke, on the same day, distributed Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms to 2,500 indigent students in the state to enable them to continue their education in tertiary institutions.
However, a check by WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that Chief. Mrs. Titi Adeleke has fewer engagements when compared to Ngozi Adeleke.
Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, on September 4, 2024, called on the wives of local government chairmen in the state to support the pet project of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’.
In a statement published in the news bulletin of the State Ministry of Information and Public Engagement, released by Mrs. Titi Adeleke, it read, “Embrace the pet project christened the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“I direct you to have a local chapter of that initiative in your respective local government areas without any hindrance.
“RHI is all about enhancing the welfare of all women and their children. The initiative will cover areas such as education, health, and agriculture that are identified as strategically central to the sustainability of the total development of women and children not only in Osun State but Nigeria in general.”
Mrs. Titi Adeleke, on April 30, 2023, called for the empowerment of women with disabilities, saying their independence is essential for achieving an all-inclusive society. She gave this call during the second edition of the Osun State Deaf Women Association Summit in Osogbo.
Governor Adeleke reacts.
In a new development, Governor Ademola Adeleke, through his spokesperson, has declared that his first wife, Mrs. Titiola Adeleke, will be officially hosting the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, on her official visit to Osun State tomorrow.
The statement reads, in full:
The attention of Mr Governor has been drawn to fake news in circulation about conflict over who among the Governor’s two wives is to host the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her official visit to the State tomorrow.
For clarification, Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke, the First Lady of Osun State, is officially hosting the First Lady of the Republic tomorrow in line with the directive of Mr Governor. There is no confusion on this official position.
The flier circulating purportedly from the Office of Erelu Ngozi Adeleke,the wife of the State Governor, is fake news and the person behind it was nabbed and questioned last night.
The said flier was never authorized by Erelu Ngozi Adeleke. The material was manufactured and shared by elements who wanted to sow discord and create an atmosphere of confusion.
The state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke is set to receive the First Lady and her team in Osun State.
In the words of Mr Governor, “I am elated to host our dear First Lady and my old colleague at the Senate. Our people must troop out to welcome her.
“She deserves a rousing welcome for endorsing Osun as the location for the alternative school for girls”
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor