Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai recently mocked political commentator Reno Omokri on social media, sharing images of Omokri protesting against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in London in 2022. The images, posted on El-Rufai’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account, show Omokri holding a placard that reads: “No to a drug baron in Aso Rock,” referring to Tinubu.
Accompanying the images, El-Rufai added a caption that read: “NIGERIA UPDATE – The interesting lifecycle of Wendell Simlin, also sometimes retained as a political mercenary by any person or government that can pay.” This caption, which seems to mock Omokri’s shift in political allegiance, drew attention to the apparent inconsistency in Omokri’s stance toward Tinubu.
Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, had been one of Tinubu’s most vocal critics in the past. His 2022 protests against the president in London were part of his strong opposition. However, in a surprising turn, Omokri has recently expressed support for Tinubu’s administration, leading to widespread discussions about his changing political positions.
This sudden shift in support has sparked debates on social media and among political analysts, with many questioning the reasons behind Omokri’s change of heart. Critics have pointed out the seeming contradiction between his previous condemnation of Tinubu and his current stance as a supporter. Some have even suggested that Omokri’s motivations are financially or politically driven.
In response to El-Rufai’s mocking post, Omokri is yet to comment directly, but the controversy surrounding his political shift remains a topic of discussion among Nigerians. Many wonder whether Omokri’s recent support for Tinubu is based on a genuine change of opinion or a strategic move for personal or professional gain.
