First Lady told to ‘focus on her husband’ as civic groups condemn patriarchal remarks; experts cite global trend of targeting female leaders

A prominent Warri chief has publicly criticised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, over her involvement in regional affairs, urging her to concentrate on domestic responsibilities instead. The incident occurred in Warri, Delta State, earlier this week amid ongoing disputes between traditional leaders and government officials concerning insecurity and governance in the region.

According to statements circulating on social media, the chief accused Remi Tinubu of interfering in matters affecting Warri and told her to ‘focus more on taking care of her husband’. The remarks drew immediate attention, with many viewing them as reflecting deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes towards women in positions of power. Local civic groups and gender rights advocates have condemned the comments, arguing that such criticism reinforces outdated expectations about women’s roles in Nigerian society.

This episode mirrors global patterns where female leaders face gender-specific scrutiny. In a similar incident abroad, Mexico’s then-president Claudia Sheinbaum was subjected to an unsolicited public act that observers described as an attempt to undermine her authority—a situation that sparked widespread condemnation and calls for better protection of women in leadership.

Political analysts note that while democratic societies expect open debate about public figures, criticisms targeting a woman’s perceived domestic duties are rarely directed at male politicians. Research from UN Women and academic studies highlights that female politicians worldwide are often judged not only by their policies but also by their family lives and appearance—a standard rarely applied to their male counterparts.

As reactions continue to trail the Warri chief’s comments, advocacy groups have called for increased awareness around gender-based discrimination in politics. The office of the First Lady has not issued an official response as at press time. Stakeholders say the controversy should prompt wider reflection on how Nigerian society treats women who hold public office.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/warri-chiefs-attack-remi-tinubu-2026060514161594130