Tinubu praises Reno Omokri as politician defends president over Abuja insecurity

President Bola Tinubu brought out the drum to celebrate a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, who turns 50 today (Monday).

In a statement on Sunday night, President Tinubu congratulated the author and influencer and praised him “for his dedication in providing constructive opinions on national issues, regardless of his political disposition.”

“Mr. Omokri, a member of the People’s Democratic Party, was special assistant on digital media to former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2011 to 2015,” said the statement from Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson.

“President Tinubu wishes Mr Omokri many more years of good health as he continues to contribute his quota to national development.”

Omokri, a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was one of the staunchest critics of President Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2023 elections.

But in recent months, the political stance of President Goodluck Jonathan’s former special assistant on digital media has been intriguing.

While he remains a member of the PDP and a supporter of Atiku Abubakar, one of Nigeria’s leading opposition figures, Omokri appears to have warmed to President Tinubu and his government and has become one of their most vocal and effective defenders.

For example, in response to criticism from the Tinubu government over the growing insecurity in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, where there have been horrendous cases of kidnappings and murders, Reno posted on X (formally Twitter):

“This idea that Tinubu has failed because kidnappers have killed 87 Nigerians in the FCT, Abuja since May 29, 2023, is nonsense. Please check me. 617 people were murdered in the city of Chicago alone in 2023. In New York City, 386 people were murdered. In the first three weeks of 2024, there have been 70 murders in St. Louis, Missouri.

“However, are you saying Tinubu is a failure with 86 deaths in 7 months in the FCT, which is larger in landmass and population than Chicago, New York City and St. Louis combined? Put things in proper perspective.

“God willing, my party and my candidate will defeat Tinubu and the APC in 2027. But until then, let us be patriotic and not bring Nigeria to the brink because we worked in vain!”

The post angered some of Omokri’s 2.5 million followers on death of 87 innocent people simply because none of their relatives were among them. Of course, you wouldn’t understand the pain of a mother or father who loses their child or children.

“You couldn’t imagine how devastated life could be for families like this. “Let us at least apply a little conscience if we still have some atom of humanity left.”

Now that Reno scales back his criticism of the president and his party, the nation’s tribe of influential critics appears to be dwindling.

On January 10, Tinubu received Daniel Bwala, another opposition politician and former critic, at Aso Rock.

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After meeting the president behind closed doors, the lawyer told reporters that he had experienced a different Tinubu and would henceforth support him and his government.