The Nigerian Senate has been plunged into a state of severe internal crisis following the nomination of former presidential aide and controversial social media commentator, Reno Omokri, for an ambassadorial post. The storm centers on Omokri’s past scathing remarks, including describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “drug baron,” which has reignited political hostilities and divided lawmakers into hostile camps.
Omokri, listed among the 32 ambassadorial nominees, has become the focal point of an escalating row that led to the reported shutdown of the Senate’s official WhatsApp communication group due to intense internal clashes.
Insiders confirm a significant twist involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpabio allegedly initially championed Omokri’s name—reportedly as a reward for political services—but is now said to be actively mobilizing loyalists to sink the very nomination he championed. His cited reason is Omokri’s persistent verbal attacks on the President.
Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) has emerged as the principal figure leading the opposition, lobbying colleagues to reject the nominee. Ngwu argues that a person who publicly accused the President of drug-related crimes lacks the credibility to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
“Someone who called the President of Nigeria a drug baron should not represent Nigeria in the international community,” Ngwu insisted, defending his stance as an effort to preserve the dignity of the presidential office.
Ngwu’s position triggered heated exchanges, culminating in a dramatic faceoff within the Senate WhatsApp group. As an admin, Ngwu allegedly locked the group and deleted comments. This prompted a furious public confrontation from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who demanded the platform be reopened.
“Repost my deleted comments or I’ll bring the discussion to the public domain,” she reportedly warned Ngwu.
Despite the unprecedented internal turmoil and widening divisions based on political loyalties, Senate sources indicate that the screening of all ambassadorial nominees is scheduled to commence on Tuesday.
The nomination is further complicated by Omokri’s own prior public declarations, where the former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan had vowed never to accept an appointment from President Tinubu, stating on national television that working with him was “against my principles.”
His eventual nomination has deepened suspicion among lawmakers and threatens to destabilize a Senate already grappling with internal power struggles.
