The Nigerian Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is reportedly considering removing Reno Omokri’s name from the list of ambassadorial nominees amid growing opposition linked to his past criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Omokri, a former presidential aide and outspoken social media critic, has come under fire for his previous remarks about the president, including a controversial comment in which he once referred to Tinubu as a “drug baron.”
According to Sahara Reporters, Akpabio initially supported Omokri’s inclusion on the list, allegedly as compensation for political favours. However, he is now said to be backing efforts by several senators to block Omokri’s confirmation, citing his past statements as grounds for disqualification.
Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West is reportedly leading the charge against Omokri’s nomination. Ngwu has been lobbying colleagues, arguing that an individual who publicly attacked a sitting president should not represent Nigeria on the global stage.
Tensions rose further when the Senate’s official WhatsApp communication group was temporarily disabled, preventing lawmakers from responding to discussions surrounding the matter. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan later demanded that the group be reopened and previously deleted comments restored.
A source familiar with the development stated: “The senate president had nominated Omokri as a reward for the hatchet job he did for him. However, Akpabio is rallying some of his clique to screen Omokri out on the claim that he once attacked Tinubu and called him a drug baron.”
Reno Omokri has long been a polarising figure in Nigerian political discourse. Before the 2023 presidential election, he was one of Tinubu’s most vocal critics, questioning the president’s integrity, academic history, and past legal issues. Although he later moderated his stance after verifying Tinubu’s attendance at Chicago University, his earlier criticisms continue to generate backlash.
Notably, Omokri had previously vowed never to accept any appointment or work with President Tinubu — a statement now resurfacing as senators debate his suitability for an ambassadorial role.
