Ambassador-designate and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has accused Peter Obi, a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), of being desperate to become Nigeria’s president “at all costs.”
Omokri alleged that Obi has been capitalising on recent fire incidents across different parts of the country to criticise the Federal Government, while allegedly failing to acknowledge similar tragedies in the South-East.
Writing on X, Omokri claimed that Obi often draws attention to fire outbreaks outside the Igbo-speaking region but remains noticeably quiet when comparable incidents occur within his home area.
He pointed to two separate fire disasters in Anambra State, one at Trano Rentals Hotel in Isuaniocha, Awka North, on January 1, and another during a Christmas carnival in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area, on December 30, 2025, which reportedly resulted in multiple deaths.
According to Omokri, Obi did not publicly react to either incident.
In contrast, he said Obi openly commented on fire outbreaks in Lagos, Kano, Niger, Plateau, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto, a trend Omokri described as selective and politically driven.
Omokri further accused Obi of promoting ethnic and regional divisions in his commentary, arguing that many of the fire incidents were caused by environmental conditions rather than failures of governance.
He described Obi as a “tribal irredentist,” alleging that Obi’s quest for political power has diminished his ability to express sincere sympathy without attaching blame.
In his remarks, Omokri said Obi’s reference to a perceived “increase” in fire incidents amounted to an attempt to score political points, adding that instead of offering compassion to victims, Obi chose to direct blame at the government for incidents he claimed were largely influenced by environmental factors.
He wrote: “Peter Obi blaming “surge” of fire incidents on the government is a sad display of your tribalism, sectionalism, desperation and ignorance.
But because of your desperation to be President at all costs, including the de-marketing of Nigeria, you chose to blame the government for what the environment is responsible for.
