
The Digest:
Ambassador-designate Reno Omokri has sparked intense online backlash after denying knowledge of President Tinubu's 2022 campaign pledge on electricity. Host Seun Okinbaloye confronted Omokri with Tinubu's promise: "If I cannot give you power in four years, don't vote for me when I come to you after four years and I haven't provided 24 hours electricity." Omokri responded, "I'm not aware the president said that, I haven't seen any video where the president said that." He argued that Tinubu spoke "from the point of view of an outsider in federal politics" without full knowledge that the electricity infrastructure is mostly privatized. The exchange quickly went viral, with users recirculating videos of Tinubu making the pledge and questioning Omokri's defense. The backlash comes amid persistent blackouts, with the national grid collapsing multiple times in 2025 and supply stuck below 6,000 megawatts, affecting over 90 million Nigerians. The clip has reignited demands for accountability ahead of the 2027 elections.
Key Points
- Omokri's denial of a widely documented pledge has drawn accusations of gaslighting.
- The privatized sector argument attempts to shift responsibility away from the presidency.
- Viral recirculation of Tinubu's original pledge undermines Omokri's defense.
- Persistent blackouts make the issue deeply personal for millions of Nigerians.
- The controversy highlights campaign promises as accountability tools ahead of 2027.
Sources: Channels Television, Social Media