Don’t clear Reno Omokri as ambassador – APC chieftain tells DSS

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Denge JosefOnoh, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to withhold securityclearance for Reno Omokri, warning that granting it could endanger nationalsecurity and interfere with an ongoing treasonable felony case. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Onoh cautionedthat approving Omokri, who is currently undergoing DSS vetting as anambassadorial nominee, would have “serious and unnecessary repercussions” forboth the agency and the nation. He maintained that Omokri’s previous public accusationsagainst President Bola Tinubu were far more severe than those made by activistOmoyele Sowore, who is facing prosecution on charges including treasonablefelony for repeatedly referring to the President as “a criminal.” Onoh said Omokri went “significantly further” between 2022and 2024 when he repeatedly described the President as “a drug baron” andclaimed to possess documentary evidence that he vowed to reveal in court. He said granting the former presidential aide securityclearance would contradict the basis of the ongoing prosecution against Soworeand strengthen arguments of selective justice. “Clearing Omokri sends the message that calling thePresident a ‘drug baron’ is compatible with high diplomatic office, whilesomeone who made a less detailed allegation is in court,” Onoh said. He cautioned that approving the clearance could underminethe DSS’s credibility and expose the country to diplomatic embarrassment,noting that some foreign missions are reportedly uncomfortable with Omokri’snomination. Referencing Section 172 of the Constitution which stipulatesthat ambassadors must be individuals of proven integrity. Onoh warned that granting clearance could result in hostcountries rejecting Nigeria’s request for agrément and could attract negativeinternational media attention. “To clear him is to hand him a platform to claimvindication, collapse the treasonable felony case, and make Nigeria a laughingstock on the diplomatic stage,” he said.

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