Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has taken aim at Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following his reaction to a donation appeal made by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her 65th birthday celebration.
The First Lady had urged friends and well-wishers to contribute towards the completion of the National Library in Abuja instead of presenting her with gifts. However, Obi reportedly described the gesture as proof that “Nigeria is finished,” a statement that drew sharp criticism from Omokri.
In a statement, Omokri described Obi’s remark as reckless and unbecoming of someone who aspires to lead the country. “Peter Obi should be ashamed of himself for using a sincere and patriotic birthday wish of the First Lady, who asked that instead of gifts to her, contributions should be made towards completing the National Library. It takes a special type of low life to behave in such a manner,” he said.
Omokri argued that Obi’s reaction showed ignorance of global practices, noting that private individuals around the world often contribute to the development of public institutions. He cited the example of Andrew Carnegie, whose philanthropy funded 2,509 libraries worldwide, including 1,689 in the United States. “Public-spirited individuals building libraries makes them less controllable by governments and ensures their status as genuine public institutions,” Omokri explained.
The former presidential aide also accused Obi of hypocrisy, recalling allegations that the former Anambra governor distributed money to potential voters during his tenure. He further attacked Obi’s record in office, claiming that poverty in Anambra State worsened under his leadership.
“No wonder that under Peter Obi, poverty increased in Anambra. Before he took office in 2003, the poverty rate was 41.4 percent. By 2009, during his governorship, it had risen to 53.7 percent—a 29.7 percent increase,” Omokri alleged.
He also faulted Obi for what he described as a lack of investment in education, claiming that during his eight years in office, he failed to establish any new nursery, primary, secondary, or tertiary institution. “This man is a trader, not a leader. That is why he is best suited to open and run a market stall in Onitsha Market rather than aspiring to govern Nigeria,” Omokri quipped.
Omokri insisted that Obi’s comments revealed desperation for political relevance rather than genuine concern for Nigeria. “It is not Nigeria that is finished—it is Peter Obi that is finished,” he concluded.
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