Prominent Nigerian commentator and author Reno Omokri has clarified his evolving stance on President Bola Tinubu, citing new evidence and a strong personal relationship as key factors in his shift from critic to supporter.
Speaking on the matter on Breakfast Central on Thursday, Omokri acknowledged the often short-lived memory of the Nigerian public, stating, “Well, if you look back into history, a lot of Nigerians are not meticulous when it comes to keepers, and as a country, we have a very short memory.”
He explained that his initial criticisms of President Tinubu centered on two key issues: his academic qualifications and alleged involvement in drug-related activities.
Regarding the former, Omokri revealed that a personal investigation at Chicago State University in September 2022 yielded “inconsiderable evidence” confirming Tinubu’s attendance, graduation, and academic success.
“I met with individuals there; I was given inconsiderable evidence that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu attended, passed his exams, and graduated from Chicago State University. And after that date, I changed completely,” Omokri stated.
He emphasised that he publicly retracted his previous claims and urged others to refrain from perpetuating what he now deemed “lies.”
However, Omokri maintained his criticism regarding the drug allegations. “I still keep criticising him on the drug issue,” he said. He recalled protesting Tinubu at Chatham House on this matter alone, having already resolved the academic qualifications issue.
The Supreme Court’s subsequent ruling, which exonerated Tinubu of a drug conviction, led Omokri to reconsider his position.
“The Supreme Court decision…said that they’ve looked into the drug issue and he was not a drug convict; it was not even a conviction against him; it was a conviction against another person, and he was involved only to the extent that he was an accountant for that person.”
Omokri explained that, following the court’s decision, he felt compelled to align his stance with his principles. “I had to make a decision that since he had been exonerated by the court, I cannot continue to criticise him on that issue because I will be like the people I had condemned who are still criticising him on academic qualifications.”
Following Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election, Omokri congratulated him and initially intended to return to his writing and travel. However, the appointment of his close friend, Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser prompted a significant shift.
“Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and I have had a very solid and strong relationship right after he had been exiled by the Yaradua administration. In California, we spent a lot of time together; we were like brothers,” Omokri explained.
Ribadu, according to Omokri, convinced him of the administration’s genuine intentions to improve Nigeria.
“He convinced me. After he convinced me, I did a video in his office, and I told Nigerians that as long as Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is in this government, I am going to support this government, and I am going to support their economic policies.”
Omokri concluded by reiterating his transparency on the matter, attributing any confusion to the Nigerian public’s “short memory.”
