- Omokri argued that pairing with Obi could pose political challenges, especially in northern states
- According to him, such an alliance might even affect Atiku’s standing in his home state of Adamawa
- Omokri also referred to past incidents that he believes continue to shape opinions in the North
Reno Omokri, Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against selecting Peter Obi as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election, warning that such a move could weaken Atiku’s political support, particularly in the North.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Omokri made the remark in a post on his X account on Monday while responding to comments by media entrepreneur Dele Momodu.
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Momodu had suggested during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics that a joint Atiku–Obi ticket could defeat President Bola Tinubu in the next presidential election.
While acknowledging his respect for Atiku, Omokri argued that pairing with Obi could pose political challenges, especially in northern states where religion and past political events often influence voter sentiment.
According to him, such an alliance might even affect Atiku’s standing in his home state of Adamawa. He maintained that some northern voters could view Obi as a political liability in the region.
Omokri also referred to past incidents that he believes continue to shape opinions in the North. He mentioned the 2021 killing of Ahmed Gulak in Owerri, noting that the late politician was from Adamawa State. He claimed that Obi’s reaction to the incident left some residents dissatisfied.
He further pointed to the 2022 killing of a pregnant woman, Harira Jubril, and her children in Anambra State, arguing that Obi’s response to the tragedy also generated criticism among some northern observers.
The former presidential aide criticised Momodu for promoting the idea of an Atiku–Obi alliance, saying political actors should be mindful of the country’s regional and cultural sensitivities.
He added that political memories in the North can be long-lasting and warned that symbolic gestures alone may not be enough to change entrenched perceptions among voters.
Omokri concluded that in a country as diverse as Nigeria, political leaders must remain aware of religious, ethnic and cultural differences when making strategic decisions.
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