Traditional chiefs in Warri have called on the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, to shift her attention toward supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in addressing national security challenges, rather than becoming involved in local governance matters in Warri, Delta State.
The comments come in the wake of her February visit to the Warri Kingdom, where the Olu of Warri conferred on her the chieftaincy title of Utukpa-Oritse Iwere. During the visit, she also pledged ₦50 million in support of women traders in the area.
However, some traditional stakeholders have expressed concern that her perceived involvement in local affairs could be seen as interference in sensitive community matters already shaped by longstanding ethnic and territorial tensions among Itsekiri, Urhobo, and Ijaw groups.
The Warri area has in recent years witnessed recurring disputes over ward boundaries and local administrative recognition, issues that continue to generate friction among the different communities.
The chiefs’ remarks reflect these underlying tensions, with some insisting that such governance-related matters should remain strictly within local jurisdictional and traditional structures.
The development also carries political undertones ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as Delta State political actors continue to align and reposition. Some observers have linked recent statements from state-level stakeholders describing President Tinubu as a political “in-law” to broader efforts at strengthening federal–state political relations.
While reactions continue to emerge, neither the Presidency nor the Office of the First Lady has issued an official response to the latest comments from the Warri traditional leadership as of the time of filing this report.