THIS DAWN — Ambassadorial nominee and political commentator, Mr. Reno Omokri, has stirred public debate after making an unexpected declaration of affection for the Igbo people.
This is the same people he has widely antagonised over several years of sharp political commentary.
Omokri made the remarks while speaking as a guest at the residence of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the former Abia State governor and current senator representing Abia North.
In his address, Omokri praised Kalu as a deeply pan-Nigerian figure.
He also used the occasion to defend himself against longstanding accusations of ethnic bias, particularly against the Igbo.
“Respect that I have for His Excellency Senator Orji Uzor Kalu… I have a lot of respect for him.
“Because if you look at his life, going back to his youth when he was in Maiduguri, this is a man that lives in Nigeria, a very pan-Nigerian man, even dead to ethnicity, dead to region, dead to religion,” Omokri said.
Omokri, who has often been at the centre of political controversies, addressed criticism arising from his vocal opposition to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 election cycle.
He attributed his stance to party loyalty, explaining that Obi had contested against his preferred candidate, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“For political reasons, I had to go against Peter Obi because I am a very loyal person, loyal to my party and loyal to my country,” he said.
Omokri states grouse with Peter Obi
Omokri added that he was instrumental in efforts to reconcile Atiku and Obi before the elections but felt duty-bound to support his party’s candidate.
He further stated that following the Supreme Court’s final ruling on the presidential election in October 2022, he shifted his allegiance fully to Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He argued that national unity required acceptance of the court’s verdict.
“I threw my love completely and totally with my country and with the president of my country,” Omokri said.
He insisted that claims portraying him as anti-Nigerian were unfounded.
Omokri further addressed accusations that he harboured hostility toward the Igbo.
He cited his published work as evidence of long-standing respect and admiration for the ethnic group.
He disclosed that between 2016 and 2024 he authored 17 opinion articles praising the Igbo people.
This he compared to only one article focusing on his own ethnic group.
“There’s no way I would do that if I don’t have a lot of love and respect for the Igbo people,” he said.
In a more personal illustration, Omokri revealed that he gave his daughter an Igbo name, Ebelechukwu.
This, he said, reflected genuine affection rather than political calculation.
“I will not give my child an Igbo name if I don’t have a lot of love, affection, affinity for the Igbo people,” he said.
Financial and humanitarian help to Igbos
He encouraged his critics to verify his claims through publicly available records.
Omokri also highlighted instances of financial and humanitarian support to Igbo communities.
He recalled donating funds to victims of the Onitsha market fire in 2019.
The former presidential aide noted that traders later released a video expressing gratitude, albeit mistakenly referring to him as “Raymond Omokri.”
He further referenced financial assistance distributed to Nigerians during the COVID-19 lockdown.
He stated that about 40 percent of beneficiaries were of Igbo origin.
According to him, receipts of these transactions were publicly posted on social media, allowing for independent verification.
Mixed reactions
The remarks have generated mixed reactions.
Some observers view Omokri’s statements as an attempt to rebuild bridges ahead of possible diplomatic deployment, given his ambassadorial nomination.
Others argue that his history of combative rhetoric against prominent Igbo political figures has left deep mistrust that may not be easily dispelled by recent declarations.
Supporters, however, contend that Omokri’s explanation underscores the complexity of Nigeria’s political discourse.
This is one area where partisan battles are often misinterpreted as ethnic hostility.
They argue that his comments at Senator Kalu’s residence signal a broader appeal for national cohesion beyond ethnic lines.
As public discussion continues, Omokri’s remarks have reopened conversations about the intersection of politics, ethnicity, and public perception in Nigeria.
This is particularly so at a time when political actors are under heightened scrutiny both at home and abroad.
Watch the video footage of Omokri singing praises for the Igbo people below:
