Prioritise electorate’s interest over party affiliations, Remi Tinubu tells politicians 

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on politicians to place the interests of the electorate above party allegiance in the discharge of their duties, emphasizing that public service should be rooted in commitment to the people, not merely loyalty to political platforms.

She made the call on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by her Renewed Hope Initiative, held with traditional rulers and religious leaders in Lagos, saying that governance should be the focus, and not politics once elections were and the winners emerged. 

The meeting, which brought together key community influencers, lawmakers, political leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders in the state focused on strengthening grassroots engagement and fostering unity for national development through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

She expressed the belief that Renewed Hope Initiative would be able to change the mindset of the states controlled by opposition parties in the country, saying that efforts were being made to ensure that “this programme get to the grassroots.”

“Party aside, once we win an election, people should put party aside and let’s run the government. The government involves people and through the grace of God, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be able to change the mindset of opposition states. We are all working together to make sure that this programme get to the grassroots,” she said.

The First Lady also reaffirmed her commitment to supporting policies and programmes that promote peace, development, and the well-being of all Nigerians, pledging to work with all stakeholders and look into their various requests tabled before her.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his welcome address, highlighted the importance of the First Lady’s decision to engage directly with traditional and religious leaders, describing them as critical stakeholders in the conversations of governance.

Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the timing of the visit, which coincided with the ongoing Isese Week, a period of cultural celebration among Yoruba traditional institutions. 

He praised the religious and traditional institutions for their continued prayers and support for the state, reaffirming the government’s commitment to working closely with them.

“Their prayers are with us. It is not a coincidence that this visit comes during Isese Week. It shows our traditional institution is alive and vibrant. We also recognize our religious leaders, and this government values your interventions in all spheres of life,” the governor said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the First Lady for her impact through the Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that within just two and a half years, she had introduced transformative programmes targeting the vulnerable across the country.

“Our First Lady has birthed new ideas and levels of governance using her office. Her initiative is touching lives and bringing hope, especially to the elderly and the vulnerable. She has toured the nation, engaging with regional leaders and using her experience, intellect, and compassion to uplift communities,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Also speaking, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, who spoke on behalf of others traditional rulers in the state, appreciated the First Lady for her various impactful projects across the country.

The monarch, however, presented a list of requests on behalf of other monarchs, including calls for a constitutional role for traditional rulers, improved welfare, youth empowerment, girl-child education, and leadership training, legal recognition for Local Council Development Areas in the state (LCDAs), among others.

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