The Nigerian Senate has been thrown into confusion following the nomination of former presidential aide and social media commentator, Reno Omokri, for an ambassadorial position, an appointment that has reopened old political wounds, triggered factional clashes, and even led to the shutdown of the senators’ WhatsApp platform.

Omokri was listed among 32 ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate for screening, but his inclusion has sparked intense controversy, particularly because of his past public criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including a widely discussed instance in which he referred to the President as a “drug baron.”

Multiple parliamentary insiders revealed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio initially championed Omokri’s nomination, allegedly as a reward for political work Omokri had done on his behalf.

However, in a dramatic turnaround, Akpabio is said to be coordinating efforts to block the same nominee.

“The Senate President nominated Omokri for the role as compensation for certain political jobs he carried out for him,” one source claimed.

“But he is now mobilising senators to reject the nomination on the grounds that Omokri once attacked Tinubu and called him a drug baron.”

One of the loudest voices opposing the nomination is Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West, who has reportedly been rallying colleagues to vote against Omokri.

Ngwu’s argument is that an individual who publicly made such damaging allegations against a sitting President cannot credibly represent Nigeria abroad.

Sources further disclosed that tensions reached new heights when heated exchanges over Omokri’s nomination erupted in the senators’ WhatsApp group, prompting administrators to restrict comments.

Senator Ngwu, said to be one of the group’s admins, allegedly disabled responses to prevent the conflict from escalating.

This action angered many lawmakers.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan openly confronted Ngwu, demanding that he restore comment access and reinstate messages that were deleted during the argument.

In a post directed at Ngwu, she wrote:
“Dear Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District, you will open responses in the Senators’ WhatsApp forum and repost my deleted comments. Else I’ll bring the discussion to the public domain.”

Ngwu maintained his stance, insisting that anyone who once accused the President of being a drug baron, and has not withdrawn the statement, should not be entrusted with representing Nigeria internationally.

“It’s about the office of the President, not the individual,” he said.

The development has deepened divisions within the Senate, even as the chamber is expected to begin screening the nominees on Tuesday.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that Omokri had long insisted he would never accept any appointment under President Tinubu.

Before the 2023 election, he was one of Tinubu’s fiercest critics, frequently challenging his academic background, past record, and integrity.

Though he later softened his opposition after confirming records linked to Tinubu’s Chicago education, he still maintained publicly that he would not work for the President.

During an episode of the Mic On podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, Omokri was asked whether he would ever accept an appointment from Tinubu. He firmly responded:

“It will never happen.”

Pressed further, he claimed that someone from Tinubu’s camp had already approached him, but he declined.

“I told the person it cannot happen. It’s against my principles… I can never work with him.”

Despite his past declarations, Omokri now finds himself at the centre of a major political storm as the Senate prepares to decide his fate.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has firmly rejected speculations that he may accept a vice-presidential slot alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or join any coalition ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Amaechi made it clear that his focus is on contesting for the nation’s top office and that he has no intention of serving as anyone’s running mate.

The clarification follows comments by Atiku’s ally and media personality, Dele Momodu, who hinted that Atiku could consider partnering with Amaechi if Peter Obi decides not to team up with him.

In an interview with DAILY GAZETTE, Momodu praised Amaechi’s political influence, noting that “Amaechi single-handedly helped deliver power to Buhari,” adding that his political mobilisation exceeded even that of President Bola Tinubu at the time.

But in a response issued by his media aide, David Iyofor, Amaechi dismissed the idea entirely, emphasizing that his sole ambition is to become President.

“Amaechi is not seeking to be anybody’s running mate. He has no intention whatsoever to serve as vice president,” Iyofor said.

He further noted that Amaechi believes the presidency should return to Southern Nigeria in 2027, which is why he is pursuing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Iyofor added, “Amaechi is not part of, and will not participate in, any discussions about making him a running mate. For clarity, he is running for President, not Vice President. Politicians should kindly stop including his name in such talks.”

Amaechi, who previously ran for the APC presidential ticket in 2023, defected to the ADC earlier in the year and has since announced his intention to seek the party’s nomination for the 2027 presidential race.

National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ahmed Ajuji, speaks on the party’s internal tensions, its strategy for 2027, insecurity in the North, and his evaluation of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

Your party has recently been embroiled in factional disputes. What exactly is happening?

There is no faction in the NNPP. Those parading themselves as a faction are individuals who were invited to appear before a disciplinary committee for anti-party activities.

They refused, so the National Working Committee suspended them, and the suspension was later ratified by the National Executive Committee.

The matter was then moved to the National Convention, which eventually expelled them.

These individuals have no standing in the party, yet they began filing cases in various courts, at one point, 18 cases.

They secured an unusual ruling from an obscure court in Abia State without properly serving the real NNPP. The judge even ordered the party to be handed over to them.

We appealed in the same court, and the judgment was set aside due to improper service. That is where the matter currently stands.

We also approached a court in Abuja to stop them from parading themselves as NNPP officials, but the judge declined jurisdiction, describing it as an internal party matter. They falsely claim this as a victory.

Anyone seeking clarity should check INEC records, we remain the legally recognised leadership of the NNPP.

There are suggestions that the NNPP congresses are controversial. What is your response?

The noise is coming from the same expelled individuals. They claim the party belongs to one person simply because they say he registered the party. That is false.

No political party belongs to any individual. Once INEC registers a party, any Nigerian can join and contest.

Despite their antics, no court stopped our congresses, and we successfully conducted ward congresses nationwide.

People say the NNPP is controlled by the Kwankwasiya movement. Is this true?

No. Various groups joined the NNPP over time, the National Movement, Kwankwasiya, and others. That doesn’t make any group the owner of the party.

I am the National Chairman, and I don’t belong to any bloc. The claim is baseless.

The party is widely seen as revolving around Rabiu Kwankwaso. Are you trying to reduce his dominance?

Kwankwaso is just a member of the party. If he violates party rules, the NWC has the power to discipline him, including suspension or expulsion.

Every party has influential figures; that doesn’t make the party theirs.

Funding doesn’t come from individuals, but from membership dues. The more members you have, the stronger your finances.

Kano seems to be your stronghold. Can you retain it in 2027?

We are confident we will retain Kano in 2027. In fact, in the last election, we believe we won Taraba and one other Northeastern state.

We aim to win more states across the country because you cannot win the presidency without broad national support.

What about the lawmakers who have defected to the APC?

Defection is a personal choice. People leave parties for various reasons.

While a few may leave, tens of thousands join us from other parties. We hold no grudges. We remain focused on winning elections.

Is NNPP considering alliances or mergers ahead of 2027?

Yes. We have several options:
– contest independently,
– join a coalition,
– adopt a strong presidential candidate, or
– even consider an alliance with the APC.
Nothing is off the table.

Are these discussions already happening?

Of course. If you have options, you must explore them. We are in discussions with many individuals and groups, and many are also talking to us.

Will you reveal the blocs you’re talking to?

It’s too early for that. In the coming weeks or months, we will announce our decision.

Is Kwankwaso guaranteed the 2027 presidential ticket?

No. The NNPP presidential ticket is open to any Nigerian. Anyone can contest.

Unlike some parties that centre everything around one individual, the NNPP is open and democratic.

What unique policies is the NNPP proposing to address economic hardship?

Anyone who emerges as presidential candidate must embrace our core principle: protecting the common man.
We aim to:
– democratise education,
– provide universal access to quality healthcare,
– eliminate medical tourism within four years,
– strengthen national security through better funding and coordination.

Other parties had similar opportunities but failed. Our focus is national welfare and territorial integrity.

What is driving the resurgence of kidnappings and school abductions in the North?

Poverty and lack of opportunities push youths toward criminality, though this never justifies crime.
Government failure to decisively confront insurgents and bandits has worsened insecurity.

It’s not just the North; nowhere in Nigeria is safe.

I recently visited Guinea-Bissau and saw Nigeria’s military securing the country. If we can secure another nation, why can’t we secure our own? Nigeria should prioritise internal security before engaging in external peacekeeping.

Why can’t the Nigerian Armed Forces end insecurity?

The military is capable. What’s missing is political will.

The armed forces act on directives from the government. If the government prioritises defeating insurgents, it will happen. Troops should be withdrawn from foreign missions and focused on domestic threats.

How do you assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration so far?

The administration has brought hardship, hunger, and insecurity.

Government says current suffering is necessary for future economic stability. But sound policy must balance the present and the future.
You cannot destroy the present in the hope of a better tomorrow.

Some argue that northern elements are sabotaging Tinubu by fuelling insecurity. Is this true?

That theory is illogical. No one destroys his own home to spite a neighbour.
Most victims of banditry are northerners.
The real causes are:
– unemployment,
– poverty,
– lack of educational opportunities.
If these issues are addressed, youth will not turn to crime.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas over their alleged failure to account for ₦18.6 billion intended for the construction of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) Office Complex.

The NASC itself is also named as a respondent in the suit.

The legal action, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja (suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2457/2025), follows allegations highlighted in the 2022 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, released on 9 September 2025.

SERAP is seeking a mandamus order directing Akpabio, Abbas, and the NASC to account for the ₦18.6 billion allocated for the complex, Disclose the name of the alleged “fictitious construction company” that received the funds and Provide assessment reports, bid advertisements, quotations, contracts, Tender Board minutes, and Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals relating to the project.

According to SERAP, the alleged diversion or misappropriation of the funds violates public trust, the Nigerian Constitution, and international anti-corruption standards.

The organization emphasized that Nigerians have the right to know how public money is spent and that enforcing transparency would strengthen democratic institutions and uphold the rule of law.

The 2022 audit report revealed that over ₦11.6 billion was paid to an unknown construction company between 2020 and 2023 for the construction of the NASC complex and conversion of a roof garden into office space.

The contracts reportedly lacked a Bill of Quantity, needs assessments, advertisements, bidding processes, contract agreements, and FEC approval.

There was also no Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

SERAP argues that the alleged mismanagement of funds has serious social and economic consequences, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians, and undermines trust in public institutions.

The organization further cited sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the UN Convention against Corruption, which impose clear responsibilities on public institutions to manage resources transparently and for the common good.

The lawsuit, filed by SERAP lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, asserts that granting the relief sought would promote accountability, recover misappropriated funds, and reinforce public confidence in the National Assembly.

No hearing date for the suit has been fixed.