By Mohammed Bello Doka
Reno Omokri has a long-standing habit of inserting himself into every major political issue, often stirring up controversy for the sake of social media clout. His recent defense of the prolonged detention of over 40 minors, held for more than 90 days without trial, is yet another example of this pattern. Lacking genuine political influence, Reno has resorted to portraying criticism of this inhumane situation as an attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The irony, of course, is that Reno’s recent support for the administration is a far cry from his past antagonism; this sudden alignment appears more about ambition than conviction.
The reality at the heart of the matter is simple: these detained children have been held in adult facilities without trial, a clear violation of basic rights and due process. Nigerians from all walks of life are calling for humane treatment and prompt legal processes, particularly for minors, as any responsible society would. Instead of recognizing this as a fair call for justice, Reno is attempting to reframe it as disloyalty to the president. This narrative is dangerously misleading and only serves to deflect from the government’s duty to uphold lawful, humane treatment for all citizens – especially vulnerable children.
President Tinubu, it is worth noting, did not ascend to his position alone. Prominent leaders like Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor Yahaya Bello, Abdullahi Ganduje, Bello Matawalle, and Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda were instrumental in securing Tinubu’s victory in the APC primaries and general election. These figures have proven political weight, demonstrated by their ability to mobilize support and deliver their constituencies. Reno, on the other hand, lacks any real political base; he has no influence in his own ward, let alone on a national level. His attempts to undermine these proven leaders only highlight his own lack of credibility and relevance, as his political engagement exists almost entirely on social media.
Reno’s justification of the minors' detention by comparing it to juvenile justice systems in Western democracies is fundamentally flawed. While Western nations do hold minors accountable, they do so with age-appropriate facilities, legal representation, and prompt hearings. What these Nigerian minors have experienced – over 90 days in adult prisons without trial – is far removed from these standards. Reno’s selective comparison overlooks this critical difference, revealing a lack of genuine concern for the rights and welfare of these children. Rather than advocating for humane and just treatment, he is attempting to stifle legitimate criticism by twisting it into a loyalty test.
Reno’s divisive narrative further attempts to portray those calling for due process as somehow opposed to Tinubu’s administration. This tactic, common in political maneuvering, serves only to polarize and distract from the substantive issues at hand. In reality, those advocating for these minors are doing so in defense of justice, accountability, and humane governance – values that should be at the heart of any democratic society.
In closing, with so-called allies like Reno Omokri, President Tinubu needs little worry about his critics. Reno’s recent commentary is transparently self-serving, driven by a desire for relevance rather than principle. His attempts to paint legitimate calls for justice as disloyalty to the administration expose the limits of his credibility. In the end, Reno’s loud online presence cannot mask his lack of political clout; he is, after all, an influencer rather than a statesman, and his divisive rhetoric does more harm than good to the unity he claims to support.
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