Onoh, Tinubu's ally, condemns Reno Omokri's mock video on Peter Obi

Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has criticised Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Mr. Reno Omokri, over his widely circulated video interaction with Mr. Peter Obi.

Omokri had in a video he posted in 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, on Sunday, condemned Omokri’s conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where he approached Obi, exchanged greetings with a handshake and shoulder pat, while deliberately recording the moment. Omokri later 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 Reelection Next Year!”

Onoh described the behaviour as a clear lack of decorum and statesmanship.

“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. Ambassadors are not mere political attack-dogs or social media content creators; they are the face of Nigeria abroad," Onoh said. 

The Forum Chairman, who has consistently opposed Omokri’s nomination, said the envoy-designate’s conduct reflects poorly on his professionalism and sense of self-worth.

“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,” he added.

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 concluded.