Reno Omokri has become one of the most recognisable and controversial figures in Nigeria’s political landscape. His story, from his emergence under President Goodluck Jonathan to his transformation into a fierce online combatant and now a nominee for ambassadorial appointment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reflects both the unpredictability and the moral challenges of Nigerian politics.
Born into the family of Helen Bemigho Omokri and the late Justice Jean Omokri of Delta State, Reno presented himself over the years as a writer, pastor, political consultant, and social media advocate. His national prominence grew when he served in the Presidential Villa as Special Assistant on New Media to President Jonathan. In that role he was known for his combative style, sometimes praised for loyalty and sometimes criticised for what many considered aggressive propaganda. After Jonathan’s defeat in 2015, Reno positioned himself as a defender of the former president’s legacy while launching relentless criticisms against the succeeding administration.
As Nigeria entered the build-up to the 2023 elections, Reno became one of the most hostile voices against Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He repeatedly accused Tinubu of corruption and referenced allegations relating to drug related forfeiture in the United States. He questioned Tinubu’s legitimacy and described the 2023 election as fraudulent. His social media broadcasts frequently included harsh language that supporters of Tinubu considered insulting and defamatory. To many of his followers, he was an unrepentant adversary of the now President.
Reno also directed his energy toward attacking Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. His criticism of Obi has been persistent and often mocking. He repeatedly portrayed Obi as unreliable and unfit for national leadership and continues to deride him long after the election. To Obi’s supporters, Reno’s conduct has been vindictive, personal, and excessive.
However, after the election, Reno’s tone began to change dramatically. The man who once condemned Tinubu with intensity gradually turned into one of the President’s most vocal defenders. His broadcasts shifted from attacks to praise. He began to champion the policies of the Tinubu administration and to mock or dismiss those who criticised the government. The transformation stunned observers, many of whom described it as a complete reversal driven not by conviction but by personal interest. Others argued that he had genuinely reconsidered his views and chosen to support the administration in the interest of national unity.
This dramatic shift set the stage for one of the most controversial political appointments of recent times. When President Tinubu nominated Reno Omokri as an ambassador designate, the reaction was immediate and divided. Within the APC, many questioned why a man who once used some of the harshest words against the President should now be rewarded with a prestigious diplomatic position. They argued that Reno’s past statements, including allegations of corruption and references to drug related issues, made him unfit to represent Nigeria or speak for the same President he previously condemned. Others in the ruling party, along with some neutral observers, defended the nomination. They insisted that Reno had repented and had worked tirelessly in recent months to defend the government, correct misinformation, and counter opposition narratives. They viewed the appointment as a gesture of reconciliation and an example of inclusive politics.
In examining these arguments, a larger lesson emerges. Words spoken in the heat of politics do not disappear. In a digital age, they remain permanently accessible. They resurface, they follow their authors, and they shape reputations long after circumstances have changed. Public figures must therefore exercise caution, restraint, and wisdom. Today’s opponent may become tomorrow’s ally. It is important to leave room for future reconciliation and to avoid burning bridges so completely that one becomes trapped by one’s own history.
Reno Omokri’s case illustrates this clearly. His present attacks on Peter Obi may satisfy his audience today, but if tomorrow political dynamics shift and he must stand before Obi in search of goodwill, how will he explain his words. Even now, many Nigerians wonder how he will stand before President Tinubu, a man he once described with the severest of accusations. Old videos and posts are resurfacing daily, and public memory is unforgiving.
For the sake of Nigeria’s political development, this moment should serve as a warning to the younger generation of politicians and commentators. Politics should be guided by ideology, conviction, and principle, not by convenience or personal gain. If Reno truly desired to show remorse, he might have politely declined the nomination as a gesture of honour. And if he chooses not to, then the Senate must carefully consider whether someone who once publicly doubted the integrity of the Commander in Chief should be the face of Nigeria in any foreign nation.
Nigeria needs representatives whose records do not contradict the dignity of their office. The country requires leaders who act with consistency and self respect. Until we move away from sycophancy and embrace principled politics, Nigeria will remain trapped in the cycle of opportunism that has shaped so many political careers.
The transformation of Reno Omokri should therefore be understood not only as a personal journey but also as a national lesson. The young generation must learn that character matters, words matter, and public conduct has consequences. A society that rewards inconsistency encourages mediocrity. A nation that celebrates sycophancy destroys the foundations of accountability. It is time for Nigeria to embrace a political culture rooted in discipline and decorum, not the present belly driven politics that elevates convenience over conscience and opportunism over honour.
Bola Babarinde, was former Chairman of All Progressives Congress in South Africa, social and political commentary, he writes from Lagos.
