Reno Omokri has responded to recent criticism involving Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, reiterating his position on the role of public figures in discussing national security issues on global platforms.
In a detailed statement addressed to Davido, Omokri expressed appreciation for the singer’s feedback while noting his surprise at the tone of the response that followed his earlier comments. He said his initial intervention was aimed at correcting what he described as “false allegations” made against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding the repatriation of Nigerian prisoners from Ethiopia.
Omokri, a former presidential aide and public commentator, stated that while he respects Davido’s influence as an international entertainer, he was concerned about what he considered inappropriate language used in the exchange. He urged the singer to maintain decorum, especially in public discourse.
He further suggested that Davido’s reaction may have been influenced by his disagreement with Omokri’s earlier criticism of the singer’s decision to draw global attention to issues involving banditry and terrorism during an international sporting event. Omokri argued that although such actions may be well-intentioned, they risk amplifying the visibility of violent groups.
According to him, publicising the activities of terrorist organisations on international stages inadvertently provides them with attention that could aid recruitment efforts, fundraising, and the spread of fear among the population. He maintained that responsible communication is essential when addressing sensitive security matters.
Omokri contrasted Davido’s actions with those of other global celebrities, stating that some international figures have chosen not to comment on high-profile terror-related incidents in their countries during major global events, despite having the platform to do so. He argued that this restraint is often driven by an understanding of the unintended consequences of giving publicity to extremist groups.
To illustrate his point, he referenced the October 7, 2023, hostage situation in Israel, noting that many prominent celebrities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada did not publicly address the incident during major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, World Series, and UEFA Champions League. He suggested that this silence reflected a deliberate effort to avoid amplifying the objectives of terrorist organisations.
Omokri also drew a parallel with the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria, recalling statements credited to former military authorities that rescue efforts were allegedly complicated by increased global attention following the international #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
He argued that the heightened publicity at the time may have prompted Boko Haram to disperse the abducted girls into multiple locations and increase security around their camps, thereby making rescue operations more difficult. He further claimed that the group subsequently experienced increased recruitment and financial support, and later merged with ISIS-linked elements to form ISWAP.
Citing these examples, Omokri reiterated his central argument that excessive publicity around terrorist incidents can sometimes produce unintended operational advantages for such groups. He referenced the widely quoted assertion attributed to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that “publicity is the oxygen of terrorism.”
He also pointed to guidance from the UNESCO handbook for journalists on terrorism coverage, which encourages responsible reporting and cautions against providing undue publicity that could serve extremist objectives.
Omokri stated that his comments were not intended to undermine advocacy against insecurity but to encourage strategic communication that does not inadvertently strengthen violent actors. He maintained that public figures, especially those with global influence, carry a responsibility to consider the broader implications of their statements and actions.
He concluded by expressing hope that Davido would understand his perspective, reiterating that his concerns were motivated by a desire to protect national interests and support more effective approaches to addressing terrorism and insecurity.
Omokri ended his statement on a conciliatory note, wishing the singer well and invoking divine blessing upon him.
