The Nigerian Senate has been plunged into chaos following the controversial nomination of social media personality and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, as an ambassadorial nominee — a move that has ripped open deep political fault lines and triggered a stormy shutdown of the lawmakers’ official WhatsApp forum.
Omokri, listed among the 32 nominees forwarded for confirmation, has become the centre of an intense internal rebellion. His past scathing criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — particularly his infamous remark labelling Tinubu a “drug baron” — have resurfaced, driving a wedge through the upper chamber and igniting a fierce contest for influence.
AKPABIO IN THE EYE OF THE STORM
Multiple sources told SaharaReporters that Senate President Godswill Akpabio played a central role in ensuring Omokri’s name appeared on the list — allegedly as compensation for political favours rendered by the outspoken critic.
But in a shocking twist, Akpabio is now said to be quietly mobilising his loyalists to block the very nominee he reportedly helped elevate.
“The Senate President nominated Omokri as a reward for the hatchet job he did for him,” one top parliamentary source disclosed.
“However, Akpabio is now urging some of his allies to screen Omokri out, citing his past attacks on Tinubu.”
SENATOR OSITA NGWU LEADS THE REVOLT
At the forefront of the resistance is Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West, who insiders say has been vigorously lobbying colleagues to reject Omokri’s nomination outright.
“Senator Ngwu is rallying senators to block Omokri,” a source confirmed. “He has been aggressively pressing colleagues to take a stand.”
Ngwu’s argument:
No one who publicly called the President of Nigeria a drug baron should speak for the country on the world stage.
He declared,
“Someone who called the President a drug baron and has not retracted it should not represent Nigeria and Nigerians in the international community. It is about the office of the President, not the individual.”
SENATE WHATSAPP GROUP IMPLODES
The disagreement spiralled into a digital showdown after heated exchanges in the Senate WhatsApp group forced administrators to lock the forum.
Senator Ngwu, believed to be one of the admins, allegedly disabled responses to shut down the escalating confrontation — a move that infuriated several senators who felt silenced.
But the most explosive pushback came from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who took the matter public and demanded that Ngwu reopen the platform and restore deleted comments.
In a sharply worded statement on her official page, she wrote:
“Dear Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District, you will open responses in the Senators’ WhatsApp forum and repost my deleted comments. Else I’ll bring the discussion to the public domain.”
Her intervention further escalated tensions, exposing deeper fractures within the ruling legislative bloc.
A NOMINEE WITH A CONTROVERSIAL PAST
Omokri, a former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, was once one of Tinubu’s loudest critics, repeatedly questioning his record, qualifications, and integrity ahead of the 2023 election.
During an appearance on Seun Okinbaloye’s Mic On podcast, when asked if he would ever accept an appointment from Tinubu, Omokri responded emphatically:
“It will never happen… I can’t do it. It’s against my principles. Some people can do that, I can’t. It’s never going to happen.”
He later softened his rhetoric only after confirming Tinubu attended Chicago State University.
SCREENING BEGINS TUESDAY — DESPITE THE UPROAR
Despite the unfolding drama and bitter exchanges, sources told SaharaReporters that the Senate will proceed with screening the ambassadorial nominees on Tuesday, setting the stage for what may become one of the most contentious confirmation battles in recent legislative history.
With allegiances shifting, tempers rising, and backroom negotiations underway, the Red Chamber appears set for a showdown that could redefine political loyalties at the heart of Nigeria’s legislature.
PIONEER NEWS 