Reno Omokri, a prominent political commentator and former presidential aide, has publicly declared his intention to dismantle the Obidient movement, a political force that coalesced around Peter Obi’s presidential candidacy. Omokri’s decision, he asserts, is not driven by personal animosity but rather by a profound sense of betrayal and a series of escalating personal attacks that he attributes to fervent Obi supporters. He claims a pivotal role in Obi’s political ascent, portraying himself as an instrumental figure in securing Obi’s vice-presidential nomination alongside Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 elections. This past involvement, Omokri argues, underscores the depth of his disillusionment and fuels his current campaign against the movement. He details a narrative of escalating harassment, culminating in threats against his family, which he believes necessitates his drastic response.
Omokri meticulously recounts his involvement in Obi’s political journey, highlighting his collaboration with Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and a former president (whose identity he does not disclose) in orchestrating Obi’s selection as Atiku’s running mate. He emphasizes his possession of documented evidence to substantiate these claims, portraying himself as a meticulous record keeper and emphasizing his credibility in narrating these past events. While acknowledging some initial friction stemming from Obi’s departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) without consulting his supporters, Omokri pinpoints the aggressive behavior of Obi’s supporters, known as “Obidients,” as the decisive factor that solidified his opposition. He recounts a barrage of online attacks, insults, and threats, which he initially tolerated until they escalated to target his family, including his newborn daughter.
The alleged harassment, according to Omokri, transcended the digital realm and manifested in real-life threats and intrusions. He describes incidents where his home in the United Kingdom was targeted and where he and his wife were pursued and threatened while jogging. The severity of these alleged incidents, combined with what he perceived as Obi’s inaction, solidified his resolve to dismantle the movement. Omokri claims to have reached out to Obi directly, expecting him to publicly denounce the individual responsible for the threats. He alleges that Obi’s refusal to do so, coupled with the continued harassment, convinced him that Obi was either complicit in or indifferent to the actions of his supporters.
This perceived betrayal, coupled with the escalating threats against his family, became the catalyst for Omokri’s campaign against the Obidient movement. He asserts that his actions are not driven by personal vendetta but rather by a desire to protect his family and expose what he considers to be the true nature of the movement and its leader. He frames his actions as a necessary response to a dangerous and increasingly hostile political force that he helped create and now feels compelled to dismantle. His narrative underscores a complex interplay of political maneuvering, personal grievances, and alleged harassment, all culminating in a declared war against a movement he once supported.
Omokri’s detailed account emphasizes the personal toll of the alleged harassment, painting a picture of a man feeling besieged and betrayed. He strategically highlights the vulnerability of his family, particularly his newborn daughter, to underscore the gravity of the threats and justify his aggressive response. By positioning himself as a victim of targeted harassment, he seeks to garner sympathy and portray his actions as defensive rather than offensive. He contrasts his past support for Obi with the present antagonism, highlighting the perceived betrayal and emphasizing the purportedly drastic shift in the Obidient movement’s behavior. This narrative arc seeks to establish a clear justification for his actions, framing them as a necessary response to protect himself and his family from an increasingly hostile and threatening political force.
The central theme of Omokri’s narrative is the alleged transformation of the Obidient movement from a positive political force to a dangerous and threatening entity. He portrays himself as a disillusioned architect of Obi’s rise, forced to dismantle his own creation due to its uncontrollable and harmful nature. By focusing on the alleged threats and harassment, he seeks to delegitimize the movement, painting it as a group driven by fanaticism and hostility rather than genuine political conviction. This narrative serves to justify his actions and to portray himself as a defender against a dangerous and destructive force. He positions his campaign against the Obidient movement as a necessary measure to protect himself, his family, and potentially, the broader political landscape from what he perceives to be a dangerous and increasingly radicalized group.
