In a recent exchange on social media, renowned Nigerian TV host Frank Edoho expressed strong disapproval of former presidential aide Reno Omokri’s praise for the government over the absence of fuel queues during the holiday season. Omokri had highlighted several positive developments, including the reduced fuel prices and smooth transportation, as signs of national progress. However, Edoho disagreed, asserting that such basic expectations should not be celebrated as significant achievements in an oil-producing nation.
Reno Omokri, a prominent public figure and former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his observations about the current state of Nigeria, particularly during the Yuletide season. In his post, he pointed to a number of developments he believed indicated improvement in the country. “This is the first Yuletide season in the history of Nigeria where the following things are co-occurring,” Omokri began, listing several positive aspects of the current administration’s performance.
Among the points Omokri highlighted was the reduction in fuel prices and the absence of fuel queues, something that has plagued Nigerian citizens for years. “Fuel price has reduced and there are no fuel queues or petrol scarcity,” Omokri noted, calling this a significant milestone for the country, particularly during the holiday season. He also pointed out that Nigeria, for the first time, was exporting refined petroleum products to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which he saw as a positive step for the nation’s oil industry.
Omokri also mentioned the availability of food, despite its rising cost, and the Federal Government’s free inter-state public transport initiative during the holidays. “Food is costly but very much available. The Federal Government owned inter state public transport has been made free of charge for the duration of the holidays,” he stated. Additionally, Omokri noted that the new minimum wage for federal workers was being paid on time, marking a positive shift in the welfare of government employees.
He further pointed to the absence of major security incidents, claiming that Nigeria had experienced no significant terrorism or insecurity outside of active conflict zones. Omokri also acknowledged the government’s success in detaining key individuals, such as Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa, who had been linked to instability in the Southeast region of the country. “There have been no incidents of terrorism or insecurity outside the theatres of operation, which in itself is reducing in territory,” he wrote.
Despite acknowledging that Nigeria was not yet where it aspired to be, Omokri concluded by expressing optimism about the country’s gradual improvement. “We may not be where we want to be as a nation, but things are gradually getting better in Nigeria in many ways,” he said. Omokri added that Nigerians should find reasons to be optimistic this holiday season. “As a Nigerian, you have enough reasons to smile this period,” he encouraged.
Frank Edoho, however, took issue with Omokri’s portrayal of these developments as major achievements. In a pointed response on social media, Edoho questioned why such basic expectations were being celebrated as success in a country that produces oil. “How can we celebrate a government that ensures fuel is available and affordable in an oil-producing nation as a great achievement?” Edoho asked, adding that such expectations should be the standard and not a cause for praise.
Edoho’s response sparked a heated debate online, with many agreeing with his sentiment that Nigeria, as one of the world’s largest oil producers, should not be lauded for fulfilling basic needs like fuel availability. “This is the bare minimum, not an accomplishment,” Edoho wrote, reinforcing his stance that Omokri’s perspective was misguided and failed to address deeper structural issues within the country.
