Former Enugu State House of Assembly member and Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Joseph Onoh, has petitioned the Senate, urging lawmakers to reject the nomination of Reno Omokri as an ambassador-designate.
In an open letter submitted to the Senate President, Onoh said confirming Omokri would “inflict irreversible damage” on Nigeria’s diplomatic reputation. He accused Omokri of previously leading what he described as a “sustained, internationally publicized campaign” against President Tinubu, including allegations made between 2019 and 2023.
Onoh cited instances where Omokri allegedly labelled President Tinubu a “drug lord” and claimed to possess documents linking him to narcotics activities in the United States—claims Onoh described as defamatory and harmful to Nigeria’s image. He also referenced Omokri’s involvement in the #HarassBuhariOutOfLondon protests and his alleged promotion of the controversial “Mike Arnold” document, which was later deemed forged.
According to Onoh, appointing Omokri as ambassador would send a dangerous signal internationally and could undermine the credibility go of Nigeria’s vetting processes. He argued that Omokri should not be confirmed unless he presents to the Senate the evidence he previously claimed to have against the President.
Onoh warned that confirming Omokri without such clarification would “damage the moral fabric of Nigeria’s diplomatic corps” and reinforce false narratives about the President abroad.
