Not Everyone Around Me Was True – Remi Tinubu Reveals Sh*cking Betrayals

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has opened up about the fear, doubt, and isolation she experienced in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, admitting that she questioned her readiness to take on the role of First Lady of Africa’s most populous nation.

In her newly released 52-page memoir, The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, launched in celebration of her 65th birthday, Mrs. Tinubu revealed that the weight of public expectations bore heavily on her shoulders.

“As for me, I had a lot of mixed feelings, questioning my readiness and capability to function effectively and optimally as the First Lady of so great a nation as ours,” she wrote.

She recalled how, in the days leading up to her husband’s inauguration on May 29, 2023, she was often left in tears, struggling with feelings of loneliness and betrayal from people she once trusted.

“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 welcomed into my home,” she revealed.

Mrs. Tinubu admitted that while some allies abandoned her, others stood by her side, offering comfort and reminding her of God’s purpose for her life. She also confessed to moments of weakness where she hosted what she described as “pity parties.”

“If you say, occasionally, I had a pity party, you are right, I really did. I thought about who to reach out to for support and counselling,” she wrote, adding that her mentor consistently encouraged her with God’s promises, helping her silence the voices of critics.

Her faith, she said, ultimately renewed her strength and restored her confidence, allowing her to focus on service and preparation for the responsibilities ahead.

“It was now time to move on and start planning what to do that would benefit our people; also, to prepare for the inauguration and mend body, soul and spirit,” she wrote.

While President Bola Tinubu concentrated on building his cabinet, the First Lady began shaping her own initiative. She disclosed that her signature project, the Renewed Hope Initiative, was designed to align with her husband’s agenda.

“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. The scope and focus were in five key areas: Agriculture, Economic Empowerment, Education, Health, and Social Investment,” she stated.

She also shared lighter personal details about preparations for the inauguration, admitting that choosing an outfit for the big day was unexpectedly stressful. “Most of the ones made were not what I wanted; I wanted a traditional fabric worn by royalty in the day (Alari or Etu). A good friend of ours brought me a set just barely a week before the Big Day… In a few days, I had the outfit I wore. For the remaining activities, old clothing from my closet came in handy,” she revealed.

Mrs. Tinubu added that her husband’s attire was given priority, as “it is his first big day before any other person.”

The First Lady further revealed that the controversy surrounding her husband’s Muslim-Muslim ticket deeply affected her, straining her relationship with church groups. She admitted that backlash from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) left her feeling isolated, even within her local church.