Former presidential aide Reno Omokri once unequivocally declared that he would never accept an appointment from President Bola Tinubu — yet his name has now appeared on the latest list of ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

Omokri was one of Tinubu’s most vocal critics before the 2023 presidential election, frequently questioning the then–APC candidate’s credentials, record, and integrity. Although he later toned down some of his criticism after verifying Tinubu’s academic history at Chicago University, his earlier comments left little doubt about his stance at the time.

“It will never happen”: Omokri’s earlier vow

Speaking on the Mic On podcast hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Omokri was asked directly whether he would accept a political appointment from Tinubu. His response was emphatic:

“It will never happen,” he said.

When pressed further, he disclosed that someone from Tinubu’s camp had previously reached out to him:

“Oh my gosh, I don’t want to betray privilege. Somebody from Bola Tinubu’s camp has already reached out to me, and I told the person that it cannot happen. I can’t do it. It’s just against my principles… It’s never going to happen.”

He added that while he wished Tinubu well if his election was upheld, he personally could “never work with him.”

Now nominated as Ambassador

However, as SaharaReporters reported on Saturday, Omokri’s name is included among the 32 ambassadorial nominees President Tinubu has submitted to the Senate — just days after the initial submission of three nominees.

In two separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu urged the Senate to “consider and confirm expeditiously” 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career nominees.

The announcement was contained in a statement by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga.

The list includes several prominent figures among the non-career nominees, such as:

• Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)
• Reno Omokri (Delta)
• Former INEC Chairman, Mahmud Yakubu
• Former Ekiti First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo
• Former Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

Others listed include former officials, legislators, and political figures from across various states, including Tasiu Musa Maigari, Yakubu N. Gambo, Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, Otunba Femi Pedro, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, Lola Akande, Grace Bent, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu.

Career nominees listed

Career ambassadors and high commissioner designates include:

• Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia)
• Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba)
• Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa)
• Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi)
• Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa)
• Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi)
• Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun)
• Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo)
• Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo)
• Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger)
• Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina)
• Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno)
• Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna)
• Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara)
• Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun)

The Presidency noted that the diplomats are expected to be deployed to strategically important countries, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as to key multilateral missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union.

Earlier nominees

Last week, President Tinubu forwarded three additional ambassadorial nominees to the Senate: Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun). Once confirmed, they are expected to take up postings in the United Kingdom, the United States, or France.