A United States-based Nigerian activist, Baba Adam, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, urging him to immediately withdraw the ambassadorial appointment reportedly given to former presidential aide Reno Omokri, citing concerns over loyalty, credibility and Nigeria’s international image.
In a petition obtained on Monday, Adam argued that Omokri’s past public statements and social media posts make him unsuitable to represent Nigeria diplomatically.
The petition, dated February 15, 2026, was addressed to President Tinubu and copied to Vice President Kashim Shettima, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, alongside several senior diplomats and media figures.
In the petition, Adam argued that Omokri’s recent media comments cast doubt on his alignment with the current administration.
According to the document, Omokri stated during an interview on Channels Television that he does not work for President Tinubu but “works for Nigeria,” a remark the petitioner said raises questions about diplomatic coherence and allegiance.
“In the interest of maintaining the credibility and global standing of our nation, we respectfully recommend that His Excellency reconsider and rescind the appointment,” the petition read.
Adam maintained that ambassadors serve as direct representatives of the President and the Nigerian state, warning that any perceived ambiguity in loyalty could weaken Nigeria’s diplomatic posture abroad.
The activist further alleged that Omokri’s verified Facebook page still contains posts in which the ambassador-designate allegedly referred to President Tinubu as a “drug lord,” describing the continued existence of such posts as incompatible with diplomatic service.
He argued that allowing a nominee who previously made harsh accusations against the sitting president to represent Nigeria internationally could damage the country’s credibility and expose the government to ridicule on the global stage.
“Such statements raise serious questions about suitability for an ambassadorial role and the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic image,” Adam wrote.
Copies of the petition were also sent to former diplomats and public commentators, including ex-Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, former Foreign Affairs Minister Bolaji Akinyemi, and media personalities such as Seun Okinbaloye and Reuben Abati.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued any official response to the petition, while Omokri had yet to publicly react to the demand for the withdrawal of his nomination.
In January, Human rights activist and former AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, had also presented a video in which Reno Omokri referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an “international drug baron” during proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Sowore is standing trial for allegedly cyberstalking President Tinubu and calling him a “criminal,” in a case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS).
At the resumed hearing before Justice Mohammed Umar, defence counsel Abubakar Marshal commenced cross-examination of the prosecution’s first witness, Cyril Nosike (PW1), a DSS operative.
During cross-examination, Marshal questioned the witness on whether the DSS, as part of its statutory duties, conducts security and background checks on individuals nominated for sensitive positions such as ambassadors, ministers, and judges. Nosike responded that he was not aware if the service carried out such assignments.
The witness was further asked why the DSS cleared Reno Omokri for an ambassadorial nomination despite calling President Tinubu an “international drug baron.”
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