Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s former Vice President, has found himself at the centre of a heated exchange with Reno Omokri, a prominent political commentator and former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
The conflict erupted after Osinbajo delivered a speech at MIVA Open University in Abuja, where he spoke about the importance of integrity in public and private life.
Omokri, however, sharply criticised Osinbajo, calling him a “backstabbing traitor” and questioning his right to speak on matters of integrity.
This clash has quickly captured the attention of Nigerians, especially in light of the ongoing debates around the performance of Osinbajo’s tenure as Vice President under the Buhari administration.
Reno Omokri, never one to mince words, lashed out at Osinbajo in a series of online statements.
He accused the former Vice President of lacking integrity, particularly for running against his political benefactor in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries.
“What integrity does Osinbajo have?” Omokri asked.
“A man who contested the APC presidential primary against his benefactor is now talking about integrity?”
Omokri’s reference to Osinbajo running against Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his political mentor and benefactor, struck a chord with many Nigerians who are still puzzled by Osinbajo’s decision to go head-to-head with Tinubu during the party’s primaries.
In addition to calling Osinbajo a traitor, Omokri brought up several issues related to the administration Osinbajo served in.
He accused the Buhari-Osinbajo government of illegal borrowing and mismanagement of Nigeria’s finances.
“They illegally borrowed ₦50 trillion through ways and means,” Omokri claimed.
He went on to say that the administration left the country in worse debt than any previous government, a sentiment that has been echoed by many financial analysts.
Omokri also pointed to Laolu Akande, Osinbajo’s former spokesman, who allegedly stated that the Obasanjo government was the best in Nigeria’s history.
This, Omokri suggested, was further proof that even Osinbajo’s close associates recognized the failings of the administration in which he served.
While Omokri’s attacks were making headlines, Osinbajo’s speech at MIVA Open University was meant to inspire the next generation of Nigerian students.
He lamented the decline of integrity in today’s world and urged students to hold firm to their moral principles.
“Integrity might sound like a cliché today, but it is the cornerstone of real success,” Osinbajo said during the matriculation ceremony.
He emphasized that integrity is not just important in business, but also in relationships, urging students to always keep their promises and honor their commitments.
“Let your yes be yes and your no be no,” Osinbajo said.
“Don’t make promises you can’t fulfill. Integrity pays, and it is in demand.”
He pointed out that even criminals seek out people of integrity to safeguard their stolen wealth, highlighting just how valuable a reputation for trustworthiness can be.
Osinbajo’s remarks struck a chord with many of the students in attendance, particularly as he encouraged them to embrace modern forms of education like modular and micro-credentials, which he believes could rival traditional university degrees in the future.
The debate over integrity, especially within the context of Nigerian politics, is not a new one.
Osinbajo’s claims that integrity is becoming a “scarce commodity” reflect a widespread perception that many of Nigeria’s leaders have failed to live up to the moral standards expected of them.
In his speech, Osinbajo noted that trust is the “currency of business and interpersonal relationships.”
He warned that individuals without integrity would soon become “unmarketable” because their lack of trustworthiness would quickly become public knowledge.