The Hausa saying "Ruwa ba tsaran kwando bane" (Water is not a companion to a basket) is a perfect analogy for Reno Omokri’s recent theatrics on social media. Like a basket futilely trying to hold water, Reno’s endless rants against former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai fail to hold substance. Instead, they expose him as a desperate social media influencer clinging to the remnants of relevance in Nigeria’s political discourse.
A Man of Many Faces: The Double Standards of Reno Omokri
Reno Omokri prides himself as a “human rights activist,” a “pastor,” and an “author.” Yet, his actions often contradict his self-proclaimed moral compass. One moment, he champions justice, and the next, he defends the worst excesses of his former principal, Goodluck Jonathan. He attacks El-Rufai with a level of obsession that suggests envy rather than principle.
But let’s pause for a moment and ask: why is Reno so fixated on El-Rufai? Is it because the former governor embodies a competence and boldness that Reno—who spent years as a social media handler rather than a leader—can never attain? Or is it just another attempt to trend on Twitter, knowing that attacking notable figures keeps his name in circulation?
While Reno spends his time launching diatribes against El-Rufai, he conveniently ignores the atrocities committed under the government he once served. For example, he praises Jonathan as a hero of democracy, yet he forgets how that administration watched as over 200 Chibok girls were abducted in 2014. Reno was a key figure in Jonathan’s media team then, and instead of acknowledging the failure, he used his infamous #WendellSmokes Twitter accounts to deflect and deceive.
Stomach Infrastructure Activism
Reno Omokri’s activism follows a pattern: it is never about justice or truth but about who can feed his stomach. The moment he senses an opportunity for financial gain, his opinions shift like the wind. One day, he is condemning a politician; the next, he is defending them—depending on who is signing the check.
A prime example is his relationship with Atiku Abubakar. In 2015, Reno was among those who mocked Atiku’s presidential ambitions, yet by 2019, he had rebranded himself as Atiku’s most vocal supporter. Why? Because Atiku was the highest bidder. That same opportunism drives his recent attacks on El-Rufai.
But Reno’s hypocrisy doesn’t end there. During the 2023 elections, he vigorously campaigned for Peter Obi’s opponents, yet today, he positions himself as a champion of Igbo causes whenever it suits his narrative. He once attacked Northern politicians for their governance style, yet he conveniently ignores the failures of his own kinsmen when they are in power.
Reno’s Relationship With Lies
Reno Omokri’s penchant for lies is well-documented. One of the most infamous incidents was when he falsely claimed to be in Ethiopia during a political controversy, only for social media users to expose his real location. His cut-and-paste activism is riddled with misinformation, and his willingness to twist facts to fit his narrative has made him one of the most unreliable voices in Nigerian politics.
Another example of his dishonesty was his attack on Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka in 2023. Reno shared a doctored video to discredit the professor, only for fact-checkers to expose his deception. Instead of apologizing, he doubled down, showcasing his unwillingness to engage in honest discourse.
Conclusion: A Basket Trying to Hold Water
At the end of the day, Reno Omokri’s obsession with El-Rufai is nothing more than a desperate attempt to stay relevant. Like a basket trying to hold water, his credibility leaks through the holes of his hypocrisy, dishonesty, and stomach-driven activism.
If he truly cares about governance, let him critique the failures of those he once served. Let him address the corruption, insecurity, and economic mismanagement that defined the Jonathan era. Until then, his words will remain what they have always been—self-serving, opportunistic, and ultimately hollow.
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Opinion