A former presidential aide and ambassador-designate, Reno Omokri, has accused a leading figure of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, of being desperate to become Nigeria’s president “at all costs.”
Omokri alleged that Obi has been exploiting recent fire outbreaks across different parts of the country to criticise the Federal Government, while allegedly ignoring similar tragedies in the South-East.
Writing on his 𝕏 handle on Saturday, Omokri claimed that Obi often comments on fires outside the Igbo-speaking region but remains silent when comparable disasters occur in his home area.
He cited two recent fire outbreaks in Anambra State — one at Trano Rentals Hotel in Isuaniocha, Awka North, on January 1, and another during a Christmas carnival in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area, on December 30, 2025, which reportedly claimed multiple lives.
According to Omokri, Obi did not publicly react to either incident.
In contrast, he alleged that Obi had spoken out on fire outbreaks in states such as Lagos, Kano, Niger, Plateau, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto.
Omokri described the pattern as selective and politically motivated, accusing Obi of promoting ethnic and regional sentiments in his commentary.
He argued that many of the fire incidents were influenced by environmental conditions rather than governance failures.
“He is a tribal irredentist,” Omokri claimed, alleging that Obi’s ambition for political power had affected his ability to express sympathy without attaching blame.
In a strongly worded post, Omokri accused Obi of using the tragedies to score political points rather than offering compassion to victims.
He wrote, “Peter Obi blaming ‘surge’ of fire incidents on the government is a sad display of your tribalism, sectionalism, desperation and ignorance.
“But because of your desperation to be President at all costs, including the de-marketing of Nigeria, you chose to blame the government for what the environment is responsible for.”