Dare Babalola
Nigeria’s ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has criticised the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over what he described as his association with controversial individuals.
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, the former presidential aide, questioned the consistency of Obi’s anti-corruption stance, alleging that the former Anambra State governor is now aligning with people he previously distanced himself from.
“Look at the quality of people Peter Obi is relating with. Alleged looters and barons of corruption,” Omokri wrote.
He added, “And this is the same Peter Obi who said he would not be part of any ‘structures of criminality’?”
Omokri also referenced Obi’s campaign rhetoric during the last general elections, particularly his appeal to religious groups.
“During the run-up to the last election, Peter Obi was jumping from church to church, shouting, ‘Church, wake up and take back your country’,” he said.
“Now, look at the quality of people Peter Obi wants to take Nigeria back with,” he added.
The former presidential aide went further to mention Nigeria’s former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, raising allegations about assets linked to him.
“Abubakar Malami! A man from whom 57 luxury homes, hotels, and other high-value assets worth ₦212 billion were ordered seized by a court as proceeds of corruption?” Omokri stated.
“A man who was allegedly able to corruptly acquire properties worth ₦212 billion in a country that, at the time he allegedly illegally acquired them, had over two million homeless, hungry, and desolate Internally Displaced Persons?”he continued,
“These are the types of characters Peter Obi wants to save Nigeria with?”
He also revisited Obi’s campaign slogan directed at religious institutions, suggesting a different interpretation.
“Now, Nigerians understand what Peter Obi meant when he said, ‘Church, wake up and take back your country’,” he wrote.
He wants to take Nigeria back to the time of his former boss, General Sani Abacha, when looting was official state policy,” he alleged.
“Don’t forget that Peter Obi worked under Abacha,” he added.
Omokri drew a comparison with a notorious criminal figure.
“If the notorious armed robber Anini were alive today, perhaps Peter Obi would have paid him a solidarity visit too,” he said.
“Obi learnt a lot under Abacha, his beloved boss!” he concluded.
