The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, has praised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for what he described as her growing role in strengthening grassroots political structures and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu re-election.
In an article titled “Remi Tinubu and the Road to the President’s Re-election,” Israel said the First Lady has chosen an active and visible role in public service, community engagement and political mobilization, distinguishing herself as a key figure in the administration’s broader support structure.
He argued that while political campaigns are often centered on candidates and electoral contests, the contributions of spouses of political leaders are frequently overlooked despite their influence on governance, public engagement and social interventions.
Drawing comparisons with former United States First Ladies and political spouses, including Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, Israel said Senator Oluremi Tinubu had adopted a more visible model of engagement by traveling across the country, interacting with women, youths and communities, and supporting various social and political initiatives.
According to him, the First Lady has remained active despite public criticism and controversies that have occasionally followed some of her public remarks.
“She has continued to show up. That matters because courage in public life is not the absence of criticism. It is the ability to continue fulfilling one’s responsibilities when criticism arrives,” he stated.
Israel highlighted the activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that the platform had recorded interventions in women empowerment, education, healthcare, humanitarian support and social welfare.
He said one of the notable interventions was the provision of vehicles to APC women leaders in Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Osun and Oyo states, particularly in states governed by opposition parties.
According to him, the gesture was aimed at strengthening grassroots mobilization and enhancing the operational capacity of women leaders.
The APC youth leader also commended the First Lady for donating nine buses to the APC National Youth Wing, describing the vehicles as critical logistical support for youth engagement and grassroots outreach.
“I received those buses on Friday, and therefore I do not speak about them merely as an observer reading a press statement,” he said.
He noted that the buses would improve the ability of youth leaders to travel across communities, support programmes and engage more effectively with young Nigerians.
Israel further referenced the launch of the Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women (INSPIRE), an initiative targeted at promoting leadership opportunities and inclusion for women within the Federal Civil Service.
He argued that the First Lady’s influence should not be measured solely by public appearances but by the extent to which her interventions empower others and strengthen institutions.
The APC National Youth Leader also spoke on the emergence of the Mummy’s Men Movement, which he described as a platform inspired by the First Lady’s example of service and public engagement.
According to him, the movement seeks to encourage supporters to translate admiration into active participation in community development, political engagement and support for women and youth empowerment initiatives.
Israel maintained that Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s public activities should not be viewed only through the lens of her role as the President’s spouse, stressing that she had built an independent record of public service through her years in the Senate and other engagements before becoming First Lady.
He said while Nigerians would ultimately judge the Tinubu administration based on its policies and performance, the contributions of individuals supporting the President’s vision should also be acknowledged.
He added that the First Lady had chosen to remain actively involved in public life despite the challenges associated with visibility and public scrutiny.
According to Israel, her continued engagement in social, humanitarian and political activities has contributed to strengthening the structures and networks that support the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda and could play a significant role in the President’s re-election efforts.
