Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has responded to issues raised during the ongoing trial of activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, following questions over his clearance by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The matter came up at the Federal High Court in Abuja on January 27, 2026, when Sowore’s lawyer, Abubakar Marshal, queried why Omokri was cleared for an ambassadorial role despite previously describing President Bola Tinubu as a “drug lord.”
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday, Omokri admitted making the remarks but said he later discovered they were untrue and publicly withdrew them.
“I freely admit that I made uncomplimentary remarks about the then APC presidential candidate, believing them to be true at the time,” Omokri said, adding that he later retracted the statements in writing and on video across several platforms.
He said he affirmed Tinubu as President on May 29, 2023, following his inauguration, and urged Nigerians to move on. Omokri added that he reiterated this position on October 26, 2023, after the Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging Tinubu’s election.
According to him, the apex court ruled that there were no criminal charges or convictions against the President, prompting him to change his stance and regard his earlier claims as false.
Omokri said he later appeared on TVC, News Central Television and Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he publicly apologised for the remarks.
