Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has extended birthday wishes to Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, as he marked his 64th birthday on Saturday.
The message has sparked reactions online due to Omokri’s recent record of fierce criticism against Obi’s political style and supporters.
Mr Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and a staunch critic of the ‘Obidient’ movement, took to his X (formerly Twitter) page on Saturday to send prayers and commendations to the former Anambra State governor.
“Here’s wishing Peter Obi a happy 64th birthday. May God bless you and make you a better person. My family and I pray for your health and continued wealth, even as we wish for you to grow in stealth,” Omokri wrote.
“May biblical goodness and mercy be your life story henceforth, and may God reward you for your recent works of charity. Happy birthday, Peter Gregory Obi, a worthy son of Nigeria.”
Omokri further reinforced his message on Instagram, where he addressed his critics directly, saying, “I know it’s going to come as a surprise to some of his supporters, but I do wish him a happy birthday… I don’t hate Peter Obi. I’m a patriot and I love my country. We cannot be people who are governed by our emotions. If you rule by your emotions, you’ll be ruled by people who rule their emotions.”
Obi, who turned 64, was born on July 19, 1961, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
He served as Governor of Anambra State from 2006 to 2014 and emerged as a leading figure in the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party platform, gaining widespread youth support across Nigeria and the diaspora.
Though Omokri has consistently disagreed with Obi’s political strategy and criticised the conduct of some of his followers, his birthday message signals a moment of civility between two high-profile political figures.
Peter Obi is yet to publicly respond to Omokri’s gesture.
