Former presidential aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri, has said he will no longer promote Aba-made shoes, citing insults and backlash from the same people he tried to support.
Omokri, who is known for his #GrowNairaBuyNaija campaign encouraging Nigerians to patronize locally made goods, shared his reasons in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. He said his effort to promote shoes made in Aba, Abia State, turned into one of the most humiliating experiences of his life.
“I have taken a vow NEVER to promote any merchandise of Igbo origin, except if I am in a public office and have to do it as part of my duties,” he wrote.
He recounted that after wearing a pair of Aba-made shoes publicly to encourage local production, he was heavily insulted online — mostly by people of Igbo origin. According to him, the criticisms trended for three days and even appeared on the front pages of two national newspapers.
Omokri described the experience as damaging to his mental health and harmful to the “#GrowNairaBuyNaija” movement, which he has championed for years.
“The funny thing is that it was people of Igbo origin who were insulting me,” he said. “Such a thing is not suitable for my mental health. I would rather wear a foreign shoe than an Aba-made shoe.”
He was quick to clarify that his decision was not out of hatred for Ndi’Igbo, a group he says he respects deeply. He recalled how he had promoted the Borno cap during the Buhari administration even while opposing the government and received appreciation from Northerners for his efforts.
Highlighting his long-standing support for the Igbo people, Omokri noted that he had opposed former President Buhari’s policies due to perceived injustice towards the South-East, and that many of his charitable works have benefited Igbos more than his own Itsekiri people.
Despite this, he said, some individuals failed to recognize or appreciate his genuine efforts.
“For my mental health, I believe there are better-suited persons than myself to promote Aba-made shoes,” he said. “I wish Aba shoemakers well, and as God sees my heart, I tried to help them.”
Omokri concluded by saying his choice to step back is for the sake of his personal well-being and peace of mind.
