The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the nomination of Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode for key political appointments, describing the move as a national embarrassment.

In a statement issued by the group’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and released through Home Director Princess Balogun, the Union argued that both nominees lack moral credibility and questioned their suitability to represent Nigeria domestically or internationally.

“It is shocking, embarrassing, and deeply troubling that President Tinubu would nominate someone like Reno Omokri,” the Union said.
“This is a man who openly called him a drug baron, insulted him globally, and mobilised protests to discredit him. Yet today, he is being packaged to speak for the Nigerian state.”

The group recalled that Omokri had led protests against Tinubu at Chatham House in London and repeatedly accused him of involvement in narcotics-related controversies. Similarly, Fani-Kayode had publicly mocked the president, questioning his fitness for office and echoing claims of alleged drug-related cases in the United States.

“For both Omokri and Fani-Kayode to have accused the president of being a drug baron in the past, yet be rewarded with influence and patronage today, raises serious questions about this administration’s values,” the Union stated.

Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá further argued that such appointments send a dangerous signal that political loyalty outweighs character and integrity, undermining Nigeria’s reputation globally.

“Reno Omokri has himself been entangled in several personal controversies, yet he is being elevated to represent Nigerians in the diaspora. This level of impunity is beyond redemption,” the group added.

The Union warned that the pattern of rewarding individuals with questionable records could embolden others with tainted reputations to seek public office, knowing that allegiance, rather than competence, guarantees access to power.

“Nigeria cannot rebuild with compromised characters steering the ship of state. This nation deserves better,” the statement concluded.