Former presidential aide and Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has explained why he is yet to assume duties in his country of posting, dismissing speculations that the Mexican government had rejected his appointment.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Omokri attributed the delay to diplomatic and administrative factors related to the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Responding to questions from the programme’s anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, on why he had yet to resume while several other ambassadorial appointees had already taken up their assignments, Omokri said reports suggesting that Mexico had refused to accept him were false.
“Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all. You should understand that Mexico is right now hosting the World Cup, along with the United States of America, and all of their focus is on that,” Omokri stated.
He added that he was not the only Nigerian envoy awaiting final diplomatic clearance.
“Most of us ambassadors have not resumed. So, I’m not the only one. A lot of my colleagues are in my situation, but it’s okay. These things happen.”
The former presidential spokesman further alleged that narratives surrounding his purported rejection were being pushed by political opponents.
“The opposition will always say things like I have been rejected. We do not work on the basis of the opposition. We work on the basis of reality. The reality of it is that we have countries in the world that respect Nigeria, and they’re going to be taking Nigeria’s envoys,” he said.
Omokri’s appointment as Nigeria’s envoy to Mexico has continued to generate public debate, largely because of his dramatic political transition in recent years.
Once one of President Bola Tinubu’s most outspoken critics, Omokri had, in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, repeatedly questioned Tinubu’s eligibility and publicly challenged aspects of his political history. However, in a development that surprised many observers, the former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan later emerged as one of the Tinubu administration’s strongest defenders.
Following his ambassadorial posting to Mexico earlier this year, Omokri openly praised President Tinubu, describing him as “a man with a heart of gold” and pledging his “unalloyed loyalty” to both the Nigerian Constitution and the President.
His appointment subsequently sparked mixed reactions across the political spectrum. While supporters viewed it as evidence of political maturity and national service beyond partisan divides, critics questioned the sudden shift in his political stance, arguing that it contrasted sharply with his previous positions on the Tinubu administration.
Despite the controversies, Omokri has maintained that his loyalty lies with Nigeria’s national interest and that he remains committed to promoting the country’s image abroad.
President Tinubu had approved the deployment of ambassadors-designate to various countries earlier in the year, with Omokri assigned to the United Mexican States as part of Nigeria’s broader diplomatic engagement strategy.
As diplomatic formalities continue, Omokri insists that his eventual resumption in Mexico is only a matter of time.
“We work on the basis of reality,” he reiterated. “The reality is that Nigeria’s envoys will be received by countries that respect Nigeria.”
For now, the ambassador-designate says reports of his rejection by Mexico remain unfounded.
