‘Your insult shocked me’ – Reno Omokri fires back at Davido

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has responded to Afrobeats superstar Davido after the singer publicly insulted him over criticism of his campaign for abducted schoolchildren during a FIFA World Cup event.

Omokri, in a statement posted on Tuesday, said he was surprised that an international music star of Davido’s stature would resort to insults instead of engaging the issues he raised.

“Thank you for your feedback. I was rather surprised by your response to my post. Most shocking is your insult,” Omokri wrote.

“You are an international celebrity whom Nigeria is proud of. Coming to insult me on my Instagram profile with such vulgar words should be beneath you.”

The social media clash erupted after Davido performed at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert in Los Angeles wearing a custom jacket bearing the names of over 40 pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State, alongside the message: “Bring Them Home.”

The singer’s action drew praise from many Nigerians but criticism from Omokri, who argued that using a global platform to spotlight kidnappings could unintentionally promote the activities of terrorists and bandits.

Davido did not take the criticism lightly.

On Tuesday, the singer posted a video of Omokri on Instagram and captioned it:

“UMU BINGO @renoomokri fowl.”

Reacting to the insult, Omokri said he understood Davido’s intentions but maintained that publicising kidnappings on an international stage could have unintended consequences.

“I am aware that you were upset at my appeal to you not to use an international platform, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to give publicity to bandits and terrorists,” he said.

“While your intention may be good and you think you are pressuring the government, 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.”

Omokri further contrasted Davido’s action with that of popular American streamer, IShowSpeed, who also attended the event.

According to him, IShowSpeed used the same global platform to promote Nigeria by wearing a Nigerian jersey and speaking positively about the country.

“How can you, a Nigerian citizen with a global platform, go on a global stage to give publicity to terrorists and de-market Nigeria, meanwhile, at that same event and on that same day, IShowSpeed, an American citizen, used his celebrity and the global stage of the World Cup to market Nigeria?” he asked.

Omokri also cited the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction and the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel, arguing that excessive publicity can sometimes complicate rescue efforts and embolden criminal groups.

Invoking a famous quote by former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Omokri said:

“Publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.”

Despite the heated exchange, the former presidential aide ended his message on a conciliatory note.

“Thanks again, and may God bless you,” he wrote.