Political commentator and Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri has criticised the idea of a joint presidential ticket between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, arguing that such an alliance could weaken the former vice president’s political prospects in Northern Nigeria.
Omokri made the remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, March 16, while reacting to comments by media entrepreneur and politician Dele Momodu during an interview on Sunday Politics on Channels Television.
During the interview, Momodu reportedly suggested that a combined Atiku-Obi ticket could defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a future presidential election. The remark has since sparked debate among political observers and commentators.
In his reaction, Omokri said he holds deep respect for Atiku but questioned the political calculation behind pairing him with Obi.
According to him, the idea underestimates the role religion and cultural considerations play in Northern Nigerian politics.
He argued that the region’s predominantly Muslim population places significant value on religious identity in addition to political considerations, suggesting that such factors could influence voting patterns.
Omokri also criticised Momodu’s position, describing the proposal as politically unrealistic.
He further referenced past controversies involving Obi, including debates surrounding comments attributed to him in a leaked audio recording and his responses to incidents of violence that sparked national attention.
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The former presidential aide cited the killing of Harira Jubril, a pregnant woman from Adamawa State, and her four daughters in Anambra State in 2022, alleging that Obi’s response to the tragedy was inadequate.
He contrasted this with Obi’s earlier reaction to the killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto State, an incident that drew widespread national condemnation.
Omokri also pointed to remarks attributed to Obi regarding the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), saying such positions could further alienate Northern voters.
The debate highlights ongoing political discussions about possible alliances ahead of future elections, particularly among opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling establishment.
While neither Atiku nor Obi has formally announced any joint ticket, speculation about potential coalitions has intensified in recent months, reflecting broader efforts within Nigeria’s political landscape to build alliances capable of competing at the national level.