Reno Omokri Berates Peter Obi Over Comments on Benue Killings

Former presidential aide and public affairs analyst, Reno Omokri, has faulted Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent remarks on the Tinubu administration’s response to national tragedies, particularly the recent mass killings in Benue State.

Obi had, in a strongly worded statement on Monday, criticised the Federal Government for what he described as a failure of leadership and empathy in the wake of violent attacks across the country. Citing the absence of a presidential visit to Benue or Niger States, where hundreds reportedly lost their lives, Obi argued that Nigeria needed leaders with “competence, capacity, character, and compassion.”

The former Anambra State governor also drew comparisons with international leaders, such as the Indian and South African presidents, who were quick to visit scenes of tragedy in their countries. Obi’s remarks have since ignited conversations on social media and drawn reactions from political figures across divides.

In response, Reno Omokri, a former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle to condemn what he called the politicisation of a national tragedy.

“Let me also state that it is wrong for persons like Peter Obi to politicise these matters and claim that things have never been this bad in Nigeria,” Omokri wrote.

While extending his condolences to the people of Benue State and urging support for the victims, Omokri called on the state government to set up an official donations account for displaced persons, pledging to contribute once it is made public.

“We must not compare evil with evil,” he said. “Nevertheless, when political malcontent desperadoes, like Mr. Obi, make such comments, I am forced to set the record straight.”

Omokri went on to list multiple high-profile security breaches that occurred under past administrations, including the Kuje prison break in July 2022, the Abuja-Kaduna train bombing, and the attacks on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and the Presidential Guards Brigade.

He also referenced the long-standing crisis in Southern Kaduna and alleged atrocities during Obi’s own tenure as governor of Anambra State, specifically the case of unidentified corpses discovered in the Ezu River in 2013.

“Right now, Nigeria needs leaders and statesmen who can suggest solutions, not those who seek political mileage from the misery of others,” Omokri added. “Especially Peter Obi, under whom as governor of Anambra, hundreds of young Nigerian men were extrajudicially murdered and their corpses dumped in the Ezu River for crocodiles to eat.”

Omokri also backed the decision of Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to block Obi from visiting the state earlier this year, stating that the move was justified given what he called Obi’s “habit of politicising crises.”

He concluded his statement with a jab:

“Right now, Nigeria needs leaders who offer solutions, not those who only introduce pollutions!”

Omokri’s response has added to the growing debate over how public officials and political leaders should react to national crises, especially in the face of heightened insecurity across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

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