By Tony Adibe
Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and one-time Southeast spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, Dr Josef Onoh, has lashed out at Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Mr. Reno Omokri, for his widely circulated video interaction with Mr. Peter Obi.
Emphasising that even as a private citizen, such pettiness would be unbecoming, Onoh insisted that, as Ambassador-designate, it is utterly unacceptable.
NewsBits recalls that Omokri had, in a video he posted on his X account, shown a pleasant exchange with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential aspirant, (Obi), but mocked Obi with the video title that President Tinubu will win the next presidential election.
But Onoh in a statement he made available to journalists on Sunday, criticised harshly Omokri’s conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he approached Obi, exchanged greetings with a handshake and shoulder pat, while deliberately recording the moment.
Later, the Ambassador-to-be Omokri posted the footage on social media with the sarcastic caption: “Peter Obi and I Exchanging Warm Greetings Today At Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport In Anticipation of President Tinubu’s Re-election Next Year!”
Onoh described the behaviour as a clear lack of decorum and statesmanship, adding that such mischievous conduct by Omokri could make Obi suspicious of people, even those who might approach him with genuine intention.
According to the former spokesman of President Tinubu, Mr. Omokri’s actions “fall far short of the character, composure, maturity, and diplomatic poise expected of a person nominated to represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an Ambassador”.
He also said: “Ambassadors are not mere political attack-dogs or social media content creators; they are the face of Nigeria abroad.”
Onoh, who has consistently opposed Omokri’s nomination, said the envoy-designate’s conduct reflects poorly on his professionalism and sense of self-worth.
He further said: “Approaching a former presidential candidate and respected elder statesman primarily for the purpose of manufacturing a viral clip, then framing it in a mocking tone, reduces what should have been a simple, private courtesy exchange into a cheap political stunt.”
Onoh stressed that even as a private citizen, such pettiness would be unbecoming, but as Ambassador-designate, it is utterly unacceptable.
“Diplomacy demands tact, emotional intelligence, and the ability to rise above partisan trenches. Mocking political opponents on public platforms erodes the gravitas required for effective international representation.”
He warned that Omokri’s fixation on scoring cheap points risks portraying Nigeria as a nation that appoints individuals skilled in social media provocation rather than statecraft, thereby undermining the credibility of the country’s foreign service.
Onoh urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and relevant authorities to impress upon all Ambassadorial nominees the need for higher standards of conduct, noting that public office, especially diplomatic appointments, requires setting aside personal animosities in favour of national interest and personal dignity.
“Nigeria deserves better. Our diplomats must represent the very best of our national character — not its lowest common denominator on X (formerly Twitter),” Onoh insisted.
