Omokri slammed for defending police against Kemi Badenoch’s criticism

Kemi Badenoch, the Nigerian-born leader of the UK Conservative Party, has sparked yet another controversy with her remarks about her country of origin. This time, however, Badenoch is not the one facing the heat.

While many Nigerians have supported Badenoch in speaking out against rogue Nigerian police operatives, Reno Omokri, former Special Assistant on New Media to President Goodluck Jonathan, has come under criticism for accusing her of lying about the Nigeria Police.

During an interview with ‘The FP Honestly’, Badenoch candidly expressed her thoughts on the Nigeria Police Force, describing her negative experiences and contrasting them with her positive interactions with UK police.

“My experience with the police in Nigeria was very negative. Coming to the UK, my first experience with the police in the UK was very positive,” Badenoch said. She added, “The police in Nigeria would rob us. I remember the police stole my brother’s shoes and his watch. It is a very poor country, so people do all sorts of things.”

Unlike previous instances where Badenoch faced backlash for her comments about Nigeria, many Nigerians this time approved of her criticisms of the Nigeria Police. Numerous users on X recounted their unpleasant experiences with the Nigerian police following Badenoch’s remarks.

However, Reno Omokri voiced his disapproval, accusing Badenoch of making false generalisations about the police. “Actually, she is lying. Yes, there are rotten eggs in the Nigerian Police, just as there are in various British police departments. But you cannot just generalise and tar everybody with the same brush,” Omokri wrote on X.

Omokri argued that Badenoch’s comments could fuel discrimination and stereotypes against Nigerians globally.

“Do you think a foreigner watching this will listen to her and hate only the Nigerian Police? No. They will look at all of us the same way. Your value is linked to the value of Nigeria and her institutions,” he stated.

Thousands of Nigerians who have had negative experiences with the police, or whose friends and relatives have suffered similar fates, found Omokri’s stance offensive, accusing him of supporting a corrupt system.

Tuoyo, an X user, wrote: “Very out of touch and in complete contrast to what the average Nigerian citizen witnesses daily! Disappointing, to say the least.”

@IbrolamEnitan commented on Omokri’s post, sharing his own harrowing experience: “In 2022, while on my way to write an exam around Aguda, Lagos, I took a bike and was stopped by the police. They nearly abducted me, and I had to give them money to secure my release. In that moment, I felt completely robbed.”

Another user, @BrotherJusticeD, criticised Omokri: “Your epistles on this issue… Only Nigerian oppressors or those who support oppressors like you will clap for you or cheer you. @renoomokri, the degree to which you defend the Nigerian corrupt system these days is alarming. What a shame!”