National Library: ‘It Is Peter Obi That Is Finished, Not Nigeria’ — Reno Omokri

Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has taken a swipe at Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his criticism of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s birthday appeal for donations towards completing the National Library in Abuja.

The First Lady, who turned 65 on Sunday, asked her well-wishers to contribute to the National Library project instead of buying her birthday gifts. Obi, reacting to the request, had described the development as evidence that Nigeria was “finished,” a remark that drew the ire of Omokri.

Omokri accused Obi of ignorance and desperation, insisting that it is standard practice globally for private citizens and philanthropists to support national projects, including libraries. He cited the example of Andrew Carnegie, who funded the construction of over 2,500 libraries worldwide, most of them in the United States.

“Peter Obi should be ashamed of himself for mocking a sincere and patriotic gesture from the First Lady,” Omokri said, adding that the former Anambra governor’s position revealed a poor grasp of global practices.

He also accused Obi of hypocrisy, alleging that he once shared money to voters while serving as governor and presided over a worsening poverty rate in Anambra. According to Omokri, poverty in the state rose from 41.4 percent in 2003 to 53.7 percent in 2009 under Obi’s leadership.

The former presidential aide further dismissed Obi as a “trader, not a leader,” claiming he failed to establish any schools during his eight-year tenure as governor. He said Obi’s comments on the First Lady’s call for donations showed he lacked the vision and understanding required for national leadership.

“It is Peter Obi that is finished, not Nigeria,” Omokri declared.