Controversy Erupts: Reno Omokri’s Nomination Leaves Senators Split Over Past Remarks

A major political storm is currently rocking the Nigerian Senate following the nomination of social media commentator and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, as an ambassadorial candidate.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The controversial appointment has ignited intense factional disputes, especially given Omokri’s previous sharp criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The tensions reportedly led to a temporary shutdown of the Senate’s internal WhatsApp communication platform.

Omokri’s name is among the 32 nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation. However, opposition has surged, largely due to his past comment in which he allegedly referred to President Tinubu as a “drug baron.”

According to multiple sources cited by Sahara Reporters, Senate President Godswill Akpabio initially backed Omokri’s nomination, allegedly as a political reward for past support. In a twist, Akpabio is now reportedly rallying his allies to reject the nominee over the very comments that once earned him favor.

“The Senate President nominated Omokri as a reward for the work he did on his behalf,” one source said. “Now, he is mobilizing some of his supporters to block the nominee because of his past attacks on Tinubu.”

Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West has emerged as a leading voice opposing Omokri’s confirmation. Ngwu is reportedly urging senators to reject the nomination, arguing that someone who publicly accused a sitting president of wrongdoing cannot credibly represent Nigeria internationally.

“Senator Osita Ngwu is rallying senators against Omokri,” an insider revealed. “He insists that an individual who called the President a drug baron should not serve as a national envoy.”

The controversy escalated when the Senate’s WhatsApp forum for lawmakers was abruptly locked amid heated discussions. Ngwu, allegedly one of the administrators, disabled messaging to halt the disputes, sparking backlash from other senators who claimed their voices were being silenced.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly challenged Ngwu, demanding the reopening of the forum and restoration of deleted comments. “Dear Senator Osita Ngwu, reopen responses in the Senators WhatsApp forum and restore my deleted comments, or I will take this discussion public,” she warned.

Ngwu defended his actions, emphasizing that anyone who previously labelled the president a “drug baron” is unfit to represent Nigeria on the global stage. “It’s about the office of the President, not an individual,” he stated.

Despite the uproar, the Senate is set to begin screening all ambassadorial nominees on Tuesday.

The debate is further complicated by Omokri’s own past declarations. Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, he was one of Tinubu’s fiercest critics, publicly vowing never to accept an appointment under his administration. In a Mic On podcast interview with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Omokri stated, “It will never happen… I can’t do it. It’s against my principles. It’s not in my DNA. I can’t do it.”