Tinubu praises Reno Omokri for defending president on Abuja insecurity

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu celebrated former presidential aide Reno Omokri’s 50th birthday.

On Sunday night, President Tinubu praised the author and influencer “for his dutifulness in providing constructive opinions on national issues, regardless of his political disposition”.

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said Mr. Omokri, a Peoples Democratic Party member, was former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Digital Media from 2011 to 2015.

Mr. Omokri deserves many more years in good health to contribute to national development, says President Tinubu.
Prior to the 2023 elections, PDP member Mr. Omokri was a vocal critic of President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ex-special assistant on digital media to President Goodluck Jonathan’s political posturing has been intriguing in recent months.

As a PDP member and supporter of Atiku Abubakar, one of Nigeria’s leading opposition figures, Mr. Omokri appears to have warmed up to President Tinubu and his government, becoming one of their most vocal and effective defenders.

In response to Tinubu’s criticism of Abuja’s growing insecurity, where abductions and killings have occurred, Mr. Reno posted on X (formerly Twitter):

No one should say Tinubu failed because kidnappers have killed 87 Nigerians in Abuja since May 29, 2023. Reality-check me. In 2023, Chicago had 617 murders. 386 died in NYC. The first three weeks of 2024 saw 70 St. Louis murders.

But you’re saying Tinubu failed after 86 deaths in 7 months in the FCT, which is larger and denser than Chicago, New York City, and St. Louis combined? Understand things.