The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) urges President Tinubu to cancel Reno Omokri's ambassadorial nomination, citing past derogatory remarks he made against the president. The group questions the credibility of security vetting and warns that Omokri’s appointment would undermine the administration’s integrity, urging further investigation into his claims.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rescind the nomination of Reno Omokri as an ambassador. In a strongly worded statement, the OYC criticized Omokri’s past comments and behavior, arguing that his nomination contradicted his previous attacks on the president.
Igboayaka Igboayaka, the National President of the OYC, voiced concerns about Omokri’s credibility, citing a series of social media posts made in 2022 where Omokri accused Tinubu of being a “known drug lord” and unfit to govern. These remarks were made during the heat of the 2023 presidential election campaign, when Omokri claimed to have gathered evidence suggesting that Tinubu had a history with illicit drugs.
The OYC expressed its astonishment at Omokri’s clearance for the ambassadorial role, arguing that the security agencies failed to thoroughly vet his background. According to Igboayaka, the approval of Omokri for such an important diplomatic post implied an endorsement of the allegations he made against the president, a move the group deems detrimental to Nigeria’s reputation.
Additionally, the OYC leader pointed out that Omokri’s previous criticisms of the government seemed more driven by personal political interests than a genuine desire to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. The council warned the presidency that appointing Omokri to such a position could reinforce public perceptions of a lack of integrity within the Tinubu administration.
The OYC has demanded that Omokri be held accountable for his past statements and questioned whether his allegations, particularly those regarding drug use, were ever substantiated. They urged security agencies to investigate the claims he made and provide clarity to the public.
