Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has cautioned that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could jeopardise his political base in Adamawa State if he selects former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Omokri made this known in a post on his X account on Monday while reacting to remarks by media entrepreneur Dele Momodu.
Online reports that Momodu, during an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, had said that a joint Atiku–Obi presidential ticket could defeat President Bola Tinubu.
While noting that he respects Atiku greatly, Omokri maintained that choosing Obi as a running mate could alienate voters in Northern Nigeria, where he said religion and past experiences often shape political choices.
“With all due respect, if Waziri Atiku Abubakar makes the mistake of running with Peter Obi in 2027, he may lose even Adamawa because of the political liability that Peter Obi has become in the North.
“Waziri Atiku Abubakar is formidable, and I would never criticise him based on the immense respect I have for him. But to suggest that an Atiku–Obi ticket would defeat President Bola Tinubu shows a misunderstanding of Northern political realities,” Omokri said.
According to the former presidential aide, political decisions in the region are frequently influenced by religious considerations, which he believes may shape voters’ perceptions.
He also claimed that some residents of Adamawa still hold grievances over Obi’s reaction to the 2021 killing of Ahmed Gulak in Owerri.
NEWSCLICKNG Online reports that Gulak, who was from Adamawa State, was shot dead by gunmen in 2021.
Omokri further said the situation was worsened by Obi’s reaction to the May 2022 killing of a pregnant woman, Harira Jubril, and her children in Anambra State.
“Now add that to the repeat of the same behaviour after the murder of Harira and her underage children by suspected IPOB/ESN elements in Peter Obi’s home state and his refusal to condemn the incident, and anybody tying themselves to Peter Obi is playing with fire,” he said.
Omokri also faulted Momodu for promoting the idea of an Atiku–Obi alliance, stressing that political figures must remain mindful of regional sensitivities in a diverse nation like Nigeria.
“Arewa has a long and deep memory. They do not easily forget insults, slights and offences,” he said.
He further argued that symbolic political gestures, such as visiting mosques or making donations to communities, might not necessarily erase past grievances among some Northern voters.
“Nigeria, as one of the most multicultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multiracial countries on Earth, needs leaders who are sensitive to these differences,” Omokri added.
