Reno Omokri has defended his support for President Bola Tinubu, stating that the president is currently delivering on key reforms initially proposed by the Peoples Democratic Party.
In a statement obtained by PUNCH Online on Tuesday, Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, criticised the media team of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for what he described as “unwarranted attacks” against him, despite his continued respect for Atiku.
“There is absolutely no reason for those around Waziri Atiku Abubakar to fight with someone who only has the utmost respect for the former Vice President and has never had an unkind word to say about him overtly or covertly,” Omokri said.
Explaining his political stance, he declared his support for Tinubu, attributing it to the administration’s implementation of long-promised PDP policies.
He noted,”Yes, I support President Bola Tinubu and forcefully so because he is delivering the results we in the Peoples Democratic Party said we were going to achieve: fuel subsidy removal, Naira flotation, devolution of power, and loans to students.
“Our goal is Nigeria’s progress.”
Omokri argued that Nigeria’s progress should not be tied to political party affiliation.
“It does not matter if the cat is Black or White, as long as it catches mice, and it matters not if the party in power is APC or PDP, as long as it delivers progress for the Nigerian nation.”
Drawing parallels between Tinubu and Atiku, Omokri noted,”President Bola Tinubu and Waziri Atiku are both of the 1989 Social Democratic Party stock, and there is little or no difference between them.”
He also addressed concerns about his loyalty and integrity, saying, “In the course of working to actualise the vision of Waziri Atiku Abubakar, I have never betrayed confidential information … and I never will.
Despite what happened after 2023, nobody can say I have attempted to profit privately or publicly from such confidences.”
While reacting to the alleged hostility from Atiku’s camp, Omokri expressed disappointment saying,”To therefore attack me, when I have never even as much as said one negative word about Waziri or his immediate coterie, is most unkind.
“Nevertheless, I will not respond in kind.”
He concluded by reaffirming his decision to maintain his stance out of respect, not fear.
“I choose to suffer the insults hurled at me without any retaliation.
“I am only observing restraint out of respect, not out of cowardice.”
Omokri also noted his willingness to continue defending President Tinubu against political rivals.
“As long as Obi takes on President Tinubu, I will tackle him,” the former aide concluded.
