A public exchange has erupted between social commentator Reno Omokri and Afrobeats star Davido over the singer’s decision to spotlight Nigeria’s insecurity challenges during a 2026 FIFA World Cup-related event.
The disagreement began after Davido appeared at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert wearing a customised jacket bearing the names of abducted schoolchildren and teachers, alongside the inscription, “Bring Them Home.”
The gesture attracted widespread attention and was later praised by former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who described it as a patriotic effort to draw global attention to Nigeria’s security challenges.
Reacting to Obi’s remarks, Omokri criticised both the former Anambra State governor and the singer, arguing that using an international platform to highlight terrorism and abductions could inadvertently promote fear and provide publicity for criminal groups.
In a lengthy statement shared on Tuesday, Omokri said he was surprised by Davido’s reaction to his earlier comments and accused the singer of responding with insults.
“Most shocking is your insult,” Omokri wrote.
The former presidential aide maintained that publicising terrorism-related issues on a global stage could aid terrorist groups by amplifying their activities.
“I did that because the actual effect of what you did is to give publicity to the terrorists and help them spread fear, recruit new members, and raise funds,” he stated.
Drawing comparisons with international events, Omokri referenced the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel and argued that major celebrities in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada had not used high-profile sporting events to highlight the abductions that followed.
READ ALSO: Obi Commends Davido Over World Cup Protest
He also cited the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, claiming that increased international publicity complicated rescue efforts and strengthened the operational capabilities of Boko Haram.
Quoting former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Omokri stated that “publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.”
The controversy intensified after Davido reportedly responded in the comment section of Omokri’s Instagram post, where he dismissed the commentator’s arguments and referred to him using derogatory terms, including “Umu Bingo” and “Mumu imbecile.”
The exchange comes amid an ongoing debate sparked by another statement issued by Omokri in response to Peter Obi’s comments on the plight of Nigerian prisoners in Ethiopia.
In the post, Omokri rejected Obi’s claim that the incarceration of many Nigerians abroad reflected systemic failures within the country, arguing instead that most of the affected individuals were imprisoned for drug-related offences and that their circumstances could not be blamed on the current administration.
He also accused Obi of politicising national issues and questioned his record on educational development during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
The online confrontation has since generated widespread reactions across social media, with supporters of both Davido and Omokri weighing in on the broader debate over insecurity, patriotism and the role of celebrities in advocacy.
While some commentators have defended Davido’s decision to use his global platform to advocate for victims of kidnapping and insecurity, others have echoed Omokri’s concerns about the potential consequences of amplifying such issues on international stages.
As reactions continue to pour in, neither Davido nor Omokri has indicated any intention to back down from their respective positions.