Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has sparked widespread debate online following his inclusion among 32 ambassador-designates submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate.
The list, released on Saturday, ignited immediate controversy across social media platforms, with many Nigerians questioning Omokri’s suitability for the role.
Entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, was among the earliest critics. In a strongly worded post on X, he described the nomination as “a spectacular mockery of this country,” questioning how anyone “who cares about national unity” could appoint Omokri as an ambassador. He accused President Tinubu of endorsing divisive rhetoric and said the nomination was “a deliberate gut-punch to national unity.”
Other social media users echoed similar sentiments. One commenter wrote, “Wow, what a flip. You called him a drug lord, now he’s Christ-like? Guess unwavering loyalty means whatever gets you a seat at the table.”
Another user criticised the political system more broadly, saying, “Only in this country can you brand a president a drug peddler, mobilise crowds against him, and still sprint into his cabinet. Our politics is so shameless that even principles have a price.”
Some also called for Omokri’s removal from the list entirely: “He just invalidated the entire list. Others are fine. I even prefer Femi Fani-Kayode over Reno,” one post read.
Despite the backlash, Omokri accepted the nomination and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu in a statement shared on X. He praised the President’s “forgiveness,” saying Tinubu had deepened his understanding of patriotism and describing him as a leader who embodied “Christlikeness.”
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Omokri thanked God, his parents Esijolomi and Omerewumi, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, whom he described as a man of exceptional goodness. He also acknowledged his wife, Hana, crediting her for supporting him “during the three years that enemies of the President made me their foe because of my unalloyed support for the President.”
President Tinubu’s ambassadorial list also includes former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, ex-aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The nominees—drawn from both career and non-career paths—will receive their specific postings after Senate screening and confirmation.
