Netizens have reacted to the nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri as one of 32 ambassador-designates sent by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate.
The nomination, announced on Saturday, triggered immediate debate across social media, with many users questioning his inclusion on the list.
Entertainer Charles Oputa, known as Charly Boy, wrote on X on Sunday that the nomination was “a spectacular mockery of this country.”
He wrote, “How can anyone who cares about national unity make the clown an ambassador?
Tinubu is irresponsible. Perhaps he isn’t. Perhaps Tinubu endorses the filth that issues from Reno’s mouth.
“It is difficult to see hope for this country. So how can any Igbo go to an embassy run by Reno with a sense of belonging or pride?
Some might say after all he had told the world that Tinubu was a drug baron, so we should see him for what he is — a moron. Why make such hustling moron an ambassador? Tinubu’s such a let-down.
“Tinubu might be sending a message, endorsing the bigotry that Reno embodies. It’s a deliberate gut-punch to national unity.”
Another X user wrote, “Wow, what a flip. You called him a drug lord, now he’s Christ-like? Guess that unwavering loyalty means whatever gets you a seat at the table.”
One user posted, “Only in this country can you brand a president a drug peddler, mobilize crowds against him, and still sprint into his cabinet. Our politics is so shameless that even principles have a price.”
Another commented, “How will Reno Omokri be made an ambassador? He just invalidated the entire list. He should be removed. Others are fine. I even prefer Femi Fani-Kayode over Reno.”
Despite the reactions, Mr Omokri publicly accepted the nomination and expressed gratitude to the President.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, he thanked Tinubu for the nomination, describing the President as someone who taught him “the meaning of forgiveness.”
He wrote, “The President has taught me the meaning of forgiveness and has helped me better understand what patriotism entails. In short, Christlikeness is demonstrated in him. He is the right man, at the right time, for the right job, and deserves the right hand of fellowship from all Nigerians.”
Omokri thanked God and said he would serve his “fatherland and humanity.”
He also acknowledged his parents, Esijolomi and Omerewumi, “for shaping me as a piece of clay they received from God, into what I am today.”
The former aide extended appreciation to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He wrote, “May God bless Malam Nuhu Ribadu. Although I have said this publicly before, let me repeat it today. If it were possible for all the goodness on Earth to be domiciled in a single human being, that person would be Malam.”
Omokri thanked his wife, Hana, whom he called “my yene konjoo,” adding that she “helped settle my mind for the three years that enemies of the President made me their foe because of my unalloyed support for the President and unrelenting loyalty to Nigeria.”
President Tinubu’s list includes former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others.
The presidency said the nominees are for career and non-career ambassadorial positions.
Their postings will be determined after Senate screening and confirmation.
