From Critic to Ambassador: Omokri's Remarkable Political Transformation
In a stunning political reversal, former presidential aide Reno Omokri has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu following his nomination as one of 32 ambassador-designates. The nomination comes despite Omokri's previous harsh criticism of the president during the 2023 election campaign.
Omokri took to his X account on Sunday to describe President Tinubu as "Christlike" and credited him with teaching "the meaning of forgiveness." The former aide thanked both God and the President for what he characterized as visionary and exemplary leadership.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Presidential Mercy
In his emotional statement, Omokri 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."
He concluded his tribute with prayers for the president and the nation: "May God bless you, Mr President, and may Nigeria prosper as an indivisible entity with peace, prosperity, and progress under your able leadership."
Beyond thanking the president, Omokri acknowledged his parents, Esijolomi and Omerewumi, for shaping him "as a piece of clay they received from God, into what I am today." He also extended special appreciation to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, describing him in glowing terms.
Complete Political Transformation
The nomination represents a dramatic shift in Omokri's political stance. Prior to the 2023 elections, he was one of Tinubu's most vocal critics. Historical records show that Omokri:
- Organized protests against Tinubu
- Demanded the former Lagos governor undergo drug testing
- Referenced a Bloomberg report linking Tinubu to a US drug case
- Challenged both presidential candidates to prove their integrity
In one particularly strong statement from that period, Omokri tweeted: "All Presidential candidates should be made to take drug tests administered by the NDLEA to determine present and past drug use. We can't have a KNOWN DRUG LORD as our President."
He further emphasized: "The office of the President of Nigeria is too powerful to be entrusted to a man with known drug connections. Nigeria will not become Colombia."
Ambassadorial Nominations and Next Steps
The nominations were part of a batch of 32 ambassadorial nominees sent by President Tinubu to the Senate on Saturday. The prestigious list includes several notable figures:
- Former INEC chairman Mahmud Yakubu
- Former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode
- Former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
According to presidential confirmation, the nominees are being considered for both career and non-career ambassadorial postings. However, all nominations remain subject to Senate screening and confirmation before any diplomatic assignments are officially announced.
This development marks one of the most remarkable political reconciliations in recent Nigerian history, demonstrating how political landscapes can transform dramatically within a short period.
