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Reno Omokri’s gratuitous war against Obi: Before desperation becomes fatality
Nothing underscores President Bola Tinubu’s scant regard for Nigeria as opposed to his elevation of personal interest above nationhood than the appointment of Reno Omokri as an ambassador.
No President who appoints such a character to such a sensitive job truly cares about his country. There are few points to explain here.
I have heard different divergent opinions on this outlandish decision by the President, including one laughable, substantially obtuse, if not completely asinine one that suggests it is Tinubu’s way of punishing the loud mouth for accusing him of once being a drug lord.
Sending him to Mexico is seen, through this prism, as a ploy to placing him in an awkward situation in an enclave where he would for the rest of his assignment, live in fear, because operatives of the syndicates that populate the country would have more than passing interests in him. You know what it means when the mafia is watching you.
So, in Mexico, or any other city he might be at, Reno is likely to run into or shake hands with the Pablo Escobas of this world, knowingly or not and the feeling of looking over his shoulders at every point, not knowing what could come the next minute could make him break into unusual perspiration constantly.
It would definitely be enough penance for him. A scared Reno, with eyes darting lie a threatened rat, might also not only be an ample spectacle to satiate Tinubu’s hurting heart, but a potent balm to soothe the pain. But is it worth it for a country currently bereft and in search of some modicum of global respect?
Now this is how bad it gets! That this wacky suggestion is anywhere near the conversation of such a sensitive job is unfathomable. Yes! Right or wrong, whatever it is, Reno should never have got anywhere near the diplomatic corridor in any form, because doing so is a disaster.
Diplomacy is not for the immature. Someone that thinks with his heart rather than the head has nothing to do here. It is an elevated job with special skills that dwell very much on the highest level of wisdom, intellect, suavity and self-restraints – attributes that are clearly in short supply to Reno.
You see, the problem with Reno is that he loves a life of ease – exotic places – adventures – hotels – travels – holidays – beautiful things – cravings personal funds could not cover. Working with President Goodluck Jonathan provided a leeway. But President Muhammadu Buhari, cut him off and he was almost running mad as a result.
That was the time he went about with the Leah Sharibu project – making all manner of apparels with the face of the unfortunate abductee boldly emblazoned in them and creating narratives, just to attract attention.
But Buhari, could hardly notice – being too busy with Nnamdi Kanu to bother. Were Reno Igbo, he could have stood a chance of attracting Buhari’s attention. Unfortunately, he is Itshekiri – never mind he now dresses, eats, drinks Yoruba – for obvious reasons.
Now finding himself in Tinubu’s camp is like finding himself in a treasure trove. I hear he has a greenback-backed special dip for his Peter Obi project. With the Villa running so scared of the former governor of Anambra State, Reno has his job cut out for him.
But having tried every gimmick in the book to kindle as much as a whimper from Obi, which would have upped the ante and probably advanced stakes for him he seems to be in a jinx.
Obi’s benign, if not scant regard must have created some sort of frustration, if not anxiety or even panic to cause a change of strategy, evidence of which is not only emerging, but might be unravelling fully already.
The events of a fortnight ago, when Reno, practically waylaid Obi at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos is indicative of the dangerous dimension of the situation at hand.
I have been thinking deeply since that event. I didn’t perceive Reno’s presence at that particular venue as a coincidence. For all you know, he might have been on surveillance of Obi’s itinerary. What if this is the case?
What if he is truly tracking Obi? How did he know Obi would be at the airport at that time? Suppose he shallow mind tells him that Tinubu would be pleased if he actually harmed the former Labour Party presidential candidate?
For one, he doesn’t have the brainpower to know that Tinubu, an astute politician might be disposed to other schemes of upstaging his opponents than harming them physically.
What if for that reason, and for the more important reason of not losing his treasure trove, he actually carries out a more sinister scheme than what he put up at that airport show?
Next time, it might not be about setting up a camera and performing that infantile drama of shouting Obi’s name from a distance, approaching him for a handshake, touching his shoulders condescendingly and walking back with full swagger and cavalier arrogance of accomplishment, while the camera rolled. Next time it might be deadlier.
I don’t know whether Tinubu and his men see the danger, and the need to leash him before he goes for broke. People like Reno, hardly think of consequences. They lose it, especially when it has to do with threats to their pockets. Something is seriously pushing him against Obi. He must be stopped before it’s too late!
My name is Sunny Igboanugo, I’m The Tiny Voice!
For those believing that President Bola Tinubu’s exclusion of Humphrey Nwosu, the late Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), was an error that would be corrected subsequently, their expectation came to naught on Friday, with his non-recognition once again.
In a surprise outing, the President failed once again to name the late Professor of Political Science as one of the Nigerians honoured, on the day Nigerians would be celebrating this year’s anniversary of June 12, designed to mark the historic 1993 presidential election, which has now been designated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
It was a day Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO), the candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), was elected President in a transition programme undertaken by the military government of then President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).
Expectations are that because the Option A4 model used in achieving the outcome of the election, acknowledged as the freest and fairest election in Nigerian history, the late electoral commission’s boss, would feature prominently in the list of those to be honoured by the government.
But another list contained in the national broadcast by the President, suggested that the position of the treatment meted to the former NEC Chairman, reflected the thinking in the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu’s predecessor, under whom June 12 was given national recognition.
The list, populated mainly by names from the South West, which included both civilians and military personnel, did not capture the category of national honours to be bestowed on the recipients, as the government said further information would be released in due course.
Prominent among those recognized, was Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a General and former Chief of Army Staff, Supreme Headquarters between 1976 and 1979, under the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo, who died in Abakaliki Prison in 1997, where he was detained for allegedly participation in carrying out a coup against Sani Abacha, then Head of State.
Tinubu, said the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, would now be known as General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology, to honour the General, who later became a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, “for his vision of national partnership.”
Listing the other names, Tinubu said: “I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.”
The recipients included: Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole and the duo of Lade Bonuola, former Managing Director of The Guardian and Femi Kusa, former Editor of the Nigerian foremost newspaper.
Others, were: Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Osa Director, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous) and Osagie Obayuwana, all pro-democracy activists.
The list also included Joe Okei-Odumakin , Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous), George Mbah Niran Malaolu, Ishola Williams, a retired Major-General, Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
“We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle: Major General MA Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col Umar Farouk Ahmed; Col Sambo Dasuki;
Col Lawan Gwadabe; Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Col Musa Shehu; Major General Chris Eze; Major General Harris Dzarma; Col Isa Jibrin; Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin; Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom), Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Col J Okai;
Col Emmanuel Ndubueze; Lt Col Yakubu Muazu and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.”
From Godswill Obot Akpabio, Senate President, came a definitive message to Nigerians on Friday – the future is bright, the road is clear and destination is assured under a strong, visionary and purposeful democratic leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
But he also raised a proviso – since democracy is participatory all citizens of the country, must get involved in providing the planks, which when nailed together, would enable the leaders fortify the platform for its growth, to enhance a robust, viable future.
These formed the fulcrum of his admonishment, as he joined other national leaders to celebrate Nigeria’s 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democracy, in which it not only broke the vice grip of military rule, but witnessed seven election circles to choose leaders at both national and other levels of government.
Akpabio, Chairman of the National Assembly, Nigeria’s lawmaking institution, was particular about the participation of the Nigerian youths in making his admonition come true, reminding them that they actually owned the future being fashioned today.
Conveying his message through Eseme Eyiboh, his spokesman the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and former Minister of Niger Delta, also called on Nigerians to embrace unity, vigilance, and active participation in nation-building, commending them for showcasing resilience and support for democracy despite some low moments.
Noting that democratic experiment remained a testimony of endurance despite years of agitations, he said: “On behalf of the 10th National Assembly, I congratulate every Nigerian for the sustenance of democracy for close to three decades. Mistakes have been made in the course of this journey but we will surely get to the desired destination with your support.”
“Democracy should extend beyond the conduct of elections and be anchored on accountability, justice, compassion and service to the common good.”
Particularly for the Nigerian youths, he was emphatic about their active participation in the nation’s political process stressing that the younger generation forms the fulcrum of leadership succession.
Hear him: “As we commemorate June 12, I wish to encourage the youth not to sit on the fence but be active participants in the nation’s political activities. The youths constitute the fulcrum of those who will succeed us tomorrow.
“Let us therefore rededicate ourselves to the ideals of freedom, transparency and accountable government, social justice, and active citizen participation, especially the youths.”
The Senate President, also spoke the current parlous state of carnage in the country, appealing to Nigerians to unite with one another and cooperate with the government to tame “the monster that has befallen the nation.”
Assuring that Tinubu’s administration remained committed to ending the menace and securing the release of all persons in captivity, he said: “I urge every Nigerian to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in her efforts in fighting terrorism. We understand the pains you are going through but the government is not resting on its oars and hopefully we shall overcome this current challenge and all will be well with Nigeria.”
Seriake Dickson, National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on Wednesday showcased Peter Obi, its presidential candidate in the 2027 election, but gave a proviso – his importance would not be at the expense of the party.
A guest on Prime Time, a public affairs programme on ARISE NEWS Television, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, now Senator representing West at the National Assembly, maintained that the belief in some quarters that Obi’s entrance into the party was a favour was completely misplaced.
Instead, he argued that the opposite was the case, as it was the party that was doing its candidates a favour by giving them the opportunity to contest elective positions on its platform in the 2027 elections, a gesture that ought to be returned.
Hear him: “Don’t make it look like anyone is doing NDC a favour. No one is. Rather, the NDC and I and my colleagues are doing people a favour by granting our platform. If you are genuinely supporting Peter Obi and you are disparaging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsensical.”
Stressing that NDC had demonstrated confidence in Obi by adopting Obi as its sole presidential candidate and selecting a vice-presidential candidate without internal disputes, he said it was enough to earn its leadership the gratitude it deserved.
He added: “Nobody paid shishi. So, if a presidential candidate didn’t pay shishi to be made the sole presidential candidate and sole vice-presidential candidate, that same party cannot be the one saying that small people are underprivileged.
“I could have run. There’s no one more qualified than me. There’s no one more qualified than me to run for presidential candidate. None. There is no crisis within the NDC. Peter Obi is a cherished member of our party. On our own, we have made him a presidential candidate. Sole presidential candidate. And that counts for something. We are working well together. There’s no crisis.”
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