How I Was Betrayed by Friends During 2023 Elections — First Lady Remi Tinubu
By Odekunle Doyin
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has revealed that she battled fear, doubt, isolation, and even betrayal in the days following the 2023 general election, questioning her readiness to serve as First Lady of Africa’s most populous country.
Oluremi made the disclosure in her new 52-page memoir, The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday.
The five-chapter book, with a foreword by Dr. Folashade Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, captures her reflections between 2021 and 2025.
“I Felt Unprepared, Wept Behind Closed Doors”
According to the First Lady, the weight of responsibility after her husband’s victory left her feeling unprepared to serve a nation of over 240 million people.
“For days, I isolated, pondering on my ability to play the supportive and complementary role without messing up,” she wrote.
She admitted that despite her husband’s victory, she felt alone, weeping privately while struggling with the sense of betrayal from some political allies and even members of her spiritual circle.
“Despite the victory, I felt alone, weeping behind closed doors and wondering why I was betrayed by some of those I considered friends and spiritual family, many of whom I had opened up my home and my family to,” she recounted.
Strain of the Muslim-Muslim Ticket
Oluremi also revealed the emotional toll of her husband’s controversial “Muslim-Muslim ticket,” which she said sparked outrage among Christian groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
“My being a Christian did not matter. My local Assembly, Redeemed Christian Church of God, was split,” she wrote, adding that it was “a bitter pill for them to chew.”
How Faith Restored Her Confidence
She said her faith and spiritual mentorship eventually restored her confidence and guided her to focus on her responsibilities as First Lady.
“If you say, occasionally, I had a pity party, you are right, I really did. But I was reminded again of God’s promises and purpose for my life,” she admitted.
Preparing for the Role of First Lady
According to her, while President Bola Tinubu focused on forming his cabinet, she began to shape her own official programme.
“My first line of thought was that my programme has to be in sync with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and I aptly settled for Renewed Hope Initiative,” she explained.
She said the initiative would focus on five priority areas: Agriculture, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health and Social Investment.
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