ABUJA — The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has launched a stinging critique of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, accusing her of prioritizing political campaigning over the plight of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State.

The Cleric's Accusations

In a sermon that has circulated widely on social media, Primate Ayodele condemned the First Lady for her ongoing political activities while dozens of hostages including pupils as young as two years old remain in captivity following a coordinated raid on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, on May 15, 2026.

Ayodele specifically targeted the First Lady’s recent involvement in inaugurating the "Tinubu Torchbearers" (TTB) and distributing vehicles to political support groups in various states. He argued that these actions are tone-deaf given the ongoing security crisis, stating:

• Neglect of Duty: The cleric accused Senator Tinubu of failing to act as a "mother" to the nation, contrasting her current involvement in political mobilization with the vocal concern shown by former First Lady Dr. Patience Jonathan during the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl abductions.

  

• Political Consequences: Primate Ayodele issued a blunt warning, suggesting that the perception of indifference toward the victims' families could jeopardize President Bola Tinubu's electoral standing. "Remi Tinubu, you will make Tinubu lose the 2027 election," he declared, adding that her focus on campaign politics during a period of national mourning and terror is alienating the electorate.

The Crisis in Oyo State

The Primate's comments come against a backdrop of intensifying national outrage. On May 15, armed men stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community High School (Ahoro-Esinele), and L.A. Primary School (Ahoro-Esinele) in Oriire, abducting 49 people, including teachers and children. The situation has been compounded by the brutal killing of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, while in captivity an act filmed and released by the abductors.

As of early June, the victims remain in the custody of the kidnappers, who are reportedly operating out of the forest regions bordering the Old Oyo National Park. Despite deployment of federal security forces and calls for action, families of the abducted remain in despair.

National Reaction

The First Lady’s office has faced growing scrutiny as political activities continue amidst the security turmoil. While the presidency has asserted that rescue operations are being conducted by security agencies, critics like Primate Ayodele argue that the lack of visible advocacy or public protests from the Office of the First Lady is viewed by many as a failure of moral leadership.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches, the intersection of national security failures and political optics is proving to be a highly volatile issue for the administration.