₦airaland Forum

EXCLUSIVE: Senate Divided Over Reno Omokri’s Nomination As Past ‘Drug Baron’ Remark About Tinubu Sparks Row, Shutdown Of WhatsApp Group

There is mounting tension in the Nigerian Senate following the nomination of social media commentator and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, as an ambassadorial nominee, an appointment that has triggered factional battles, and the shutdown of the lawmakers’ WhatsApp group.

Omokri was among the 32 names forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, but his inclusion has provoked a storm, especially over his past public criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including a controversial remark in which he once labelled the President a “drug baron”.

Multiple parliamentary sources told SaharaReporters that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was instrumental in pushing Omokri’s name forward, allegedly as a reward for political work Omokri had done for him.

Meanwhile, in an unexpected twist, Akpabio is said to be mobilising his loyalists to oppose the same nominee he helped elevate.

“The senate president had nominated Omokri as a reward for the hatchet job he did for him,” one source disclosed.

“However, Akpabio is rallying some of his clique to screen Omokri out on the claim that he once attacked Tinubu and called him a drug baron.”

Another source revealed that Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West has taken a lead role in mobilising resistance against Omokri.

Ngwu has allegedly been reaching out to colleagues, urging them to reject the nominee on grounds of impropriety, arguing that anyone who made such serious allegations against a sitting President cannot credibly represent Nigeria on the global stage.

Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial District, is reported to be rallying senators to reject Omokri with sources revealing that Ngwu has been attacking colleagues against the move.

“Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial District, is reported to be rallying senators to reject Omokri,” an insider noted.

“Ngwu has been attacking colleagues against the move.”

The disagreements reportedly spiralled into a larger internal crisis when a Senate WhatsApp group, used for routine communication among lawmakers, was abruptly locked after arguments over Omokri’s nomination intensified.

Senator Ngwu, said to be one of the administrators of the group, allegedly disabled responses to prevent further confrontations. This angered several senators who insisted they had been silenced.

But Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal figure in the Senate, publicly confronted Ngwu over the group shutdown and demanded that he reopen the platform and restore comments that had been deleted during the altercation.

“Dear Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu Enugu West Senatorial District, you will open responses in the Senators WhatsApp forum and repost my deleted comments,” she posted.

“Else I’ll bring the discussion to the public domain.”

Ngwu insisted anyone who had called the president a drug baron cannot represent the president and country.

He said, “Someone who called the President of Nigeria a drug baron and who has not retracted the statement should not represent Nigeria and Nigerians in the international and diplomatic society.

“It’s about the office of the President not about an individual.

“Meanwhile, bring it up...”

His defiance further inflamed tension among senators already divided over the nomination.

The source told SaharaReporters that despite the uproar, the Senate is expected to begin screening the ambassadorial nominees on Tuesday.

SaharaReporters previously reported that former presidential aide to Goodluck Jonathan, Omokri, once swore never to accept any appointment or work with President Bola Tinubu.

Omokri was one of Tinubu’s fiercest critics prior to the 2023 presidential election, questioning his record, qualifications, and integrity.

Although he later softened his criticism after confirming Tinubu attended Chicago University.

Reno made the remarks during an appearance on the Mic On podcast, hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, where Omokri was asked directly if he would accept an offer from Tinubu.

“It will never happen,” he said.

Pressed further on whether any scenario could make him reconsider, he added:

“Oh my gosh, I don't want to betray privilege. Somebody from Bola Tinubu's camp has already reached out to me, and I told the person that, look, it cannot happen.

“I can't do it. It's just against my principles. Some people can do that. It's not in my DNA. I can't do it.

“It's never going to happen. It's never going to happen. I wish Bola Tinubu well if he eventually is sworn in and then the court upholds his victory. But I can never work with him.”

Salewa97:
Toh

Reno's nomination would be subjected to thorough screening. Those who are against it would surely make their points as well as those who are in support.

The Senate would eventually decide

CyynthiaKiss:
Below is the compilation of Reno Omokiri calling Tinubu what he’s actually is


https://www.nairaland.com/7307958/compilation-reno-omokri-mockery-tinubus

He mocked Tinubu’s health, and above all his oral hygiene as well.. Infact, Reno took it personal

CyynthiaKiss:
“You are a shameless hypocrite if you condemn Pablo Escobar and Huspuppi but never condemned Tinubu..”(Reno 2022)

Salewa97:
Toh

Reno's nomination would be subjected to thorough screening. Those who are against it would surely make their points as well as those who are in support.

The Senate would eventually decide

Salewa97:
Toh

Reno's nomination would be subjected to thorough screening. Those who are against it would surely make their points as well as those who are in support.

The Senate would eventually decide

swaggerjack:
Reno Omokri: I Challenge Tinubu To Prove If He Was Not A Drug Lord In Chicago




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DLrnL6rQ6M?si=uMMUVFfetODTr4Fw

CyynthiaKiss:
https://saharareporters.com/2025/12/01/exclusive-senate-divided-over-reno-omokris-nomination-past-drug-baron-remark-about?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOaNphleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeeMTzwaW2kU9voMyR1v_bmOHLupVAUCoqGx0V5NRg3IdWftgT2CKTL9OqHOI_aem_8h4Cd07PkgU52CXMJ2rfVQ

ProfOkai:
I keep telling people... I am not a supporter of Tinubu but you see, his political intelligence needs to be studied. See now, how he has successfully led Reno to the gallows!
He made Reno eat and when Reno is comfortably relaxed, he's pulled the trigger...
Tinubulogy... The study of intelligent Politicking ..

Jagaban... I didn't vote for you but you are a good politician... You have mastered the art of Nigeria politics

NaijaRoyalty:
…Says Buhari doesn’t have my kind of money

However, Buhari doesn’t have the kind of money I can steal neither does he have the money I can collect. He doesn’t even have the money for Lagos votes. So, whatever I promise, it’s for real and is coming from my pocket. It’s not until I go to Alausa before I get money to give you.”

Addressing APC supporters on the need to deliver votes, Tinubu said handsome cash rewards await those who can deliver votes for the party.

He said he would not make mistakes of the past where people would collect money in advance and not deliver on election day.

Tinubu added, “Those of you that say you come to Bourdillon for mobilisation, it is mobilisation that we are doing here or don’t you understand? Definitely, if you know people in your neighbourhood, our members, how we used to do.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/i-said-i-was-richer-than-osun-state-tinubu-admits/%3famp