The ambassadorial nomination of Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has triggered controversy and division among the kinsmen of the former president in the Ijaw nation.
DAILY POST recalls that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday unveiled a 32-man list of ambassadorial nominees, with Omokri among those selected.
Reacting, President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, queried the integrity of some nominees, alleging that several had pending fraud cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Okaba, while using Omokri as an example, claimed the nomination appeared to be a reward for his support of President Tinubu.
According to him, Nigeria needed men and women of integrity to represent the nation, especially in a period marked by severe security challenges.
He slammed what he described as the recycling of old political actors into sensitive positions without consideration for how such choices reflect on Nigeria internationally.
“Some of these nominees have a lot of cases with the EFCC. Their integrity is questionable. I saw the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on the list and was surprised he was included,” Okaba said.
Differing with Prof Okaba, however, a prominent Ijaw leader and convener of the South-South Reawakening Group, SSRG, Joseph Ambakaderimo, said there was nothing wrong with Omokri’s nomination as a non-career ambassador.
“I don’t see anything wrong in nominating the young man. He has worked as a presidential aide and has a wide range of followership. He has the experience and can handle the position well,” Ambakaderimo stated.
Addressing concerns about Omokri’s past criticisms of President Tinubu, particularly regarding alleged drug-related controversies and certificate issues, Ambakaderimo said past presidents had also faced public attacks.
“President Tinubu is a man with a big heart. Reno Omokri will do very well as an ambassador because he knows the game. He has the followership. Mr. President made the right choice,” he said.
