American Citizen Petitions Nigerian Senate to Reject Reno Omokri's Ambassadorial Nomination

An American citizen residing has sent a scathing petition to the Nigerian Senate, urging the immediate rejection of President Bola Tinubu's nomination of Reno Omokri as an ambassador, citing Omokri's alleged character flaws and warning that his confirmation would "de-market" Nigeria on the global stage.

A formal petition from an American national, Mike Arnold, has introduced a dramatic international dimension to the ongoing controversy surrounding the ambassadorial nomination of former presidential aide Reno Omokri.

In the strongly-worded letter addressed to the Senate, Arnold, who claims Nigeria as his "second home," levels a series of grave personal and ethical allegations against the nominee, framing the appointment as a grave risk to Nigeria's international reputation.

The petition catalogs a range of accusations, including claims of familial abandonment, historical sexual harassment allegations, and what Arnold describes as "pathological" political inconsistency. Central to the argument is Omokri's past virulent criticism of President Tinubu—whom he once labeled a "drug baron"—contrasted with his recent supportive stance.

"This is a shape-shifting mercenary who sells his tongue to the highest bidder," Arnold writes, asserting that Omokri would likely compromise Nigeria's interests if offered better financial incentives abroad. He warns that confirming Omokri would reinforce damaging international stereotypes of Nigeria and lead to embarrassment within six months.

The petition concludes with a direct appeal: "Deny the nomination. Your fatherland deserves better than a paid liar who wouldn’t even bury his own father."

This intervention from a foreign national adds a new layer of scrutiny to an already contentious nomination process, which has divided public opinion and drawn criticism from some domestic political figures. It places additional pressure on the Senate, which must weigh these character allegations against the President's prerogative to make appointments, as it considers Omokri's fitness to represent Nigeria diplomatically.

As at the time of filing this report, the Senate is yet to issue a formal response to the petition. Omokri has not publicly addressed these specific allegations from Arnold. The nomination is expected to proceed to a confirmation hearing, where senators will have the opportunity to examine the nominee's credentials and character directly.