Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to nominate former presidential aide Reno Omokri and ex-aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode as ambassadors, saying the appointments send the wrong signal about values and leadership in Nigeria. Obi reacted after the Presidency announced a fresh list of 32 ambassadorial nominees that included both men, whose public records and partisan rhetoric have long stirred controversy.
Obi argued that ambassadorial posts should be reserved for Nigerians whose character and public conduct reflect integrity, unity and service rather than partisanship or divisive commentary. He warned that appointing personalities widely known for fiery social‑media attacks and political flip‑flops risks undermining the moral authority of Nigeria’s diplomatic corps. In his view, ambassadors “should be role models that young Nigerians can look up to, not people whose public careers are defined by insults and contradictions.”
The former Anambra governor noted that diplomats are the face of the country abroad and insisted that such sensitive positions require people whose track record inspires confidence at home and respect internationally. He suggested that the nominations reflect a pattern in which political loyalty is prioritised over competence and ethical consistency. Obi maintained that, at a time when many Nigerians are enduring economic hardship and insecurity, the federal government ought to be showcasing individuals renowned for nation‑building, not polarising figures.
Obi also recalled that Omokri had previously vowed never to work for Tinubu, repeatedly questioning the President’s integrity during the 2023 election cycle. He argued that the sudden acceptance of an ambassadorial slot from the same administration raises questions about principle and public trust. While acknowledging the President’s constitutional power to nominate ambassadors, he urged the Senate to scrutinise all nominees rigorously and ensure that only those who can genuinely advance Nigeria’s image and interests are cleared.
According to Obi, rebuilding Nigeria’s global reputation requires more than diplomatic postings; it demands that those selected embody the values of honesty, accountability and national cohesion. He called on leaders at all levels to treat public appointments as a sacred trust rather than a reward system for political allies, warning that choices made today will shape how Nigerians and the world judge the country’s commitment to good governance.
