Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has criticised Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for remaining silent on the conviction of Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish separatist.
Ekpa, 40, was sentenced to six years in prison by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland for terrorism-related offences, aggravated tax fraud, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, and violations of the Lawyers Act. He will remain in custody.
According to the judgment, Ekpa sought to promote the independence of Nigeria’s South-East Biafra region through unlawful means between August 2021 and November 2024.
Reacting in a post on X on Monday, Omokri accused Obi of double standards. He recalled how the former Anambra governor had once demanded the arrest of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, following an altercation with airline ValueJet.
“With alacrity and gusto, Peter Obi called for the arrest and trial of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, AKA K1 De Ultimate, after his altercation with ValueJet. And the same Peter Obi said Nnamdi Kanu’s trial ‘doesn’t make sense’. He wanted KWAM 1 in prison and Kanu free,” Omokri said.
He further argued that if Ekpa had been convicted in Nigeria, Obi would have accused President Bola Tinubu of ethnic victimisation.
“If Simon Ekpa had been convicted in Nigeria, Peter Obi would have accused President Tinubu of intolerance and victimising him because of his ethnicity. Now, he refuses to comment on Simon Ekpa’s conviction in Finland. Maybe he is in mourning!” Omokri added.