By Passman Akpos
Abuja, Nigeria – In the wake of Nnamdi Kanu’s life imprisonment, prominent public intellectual Reno Omokri has offered what he calls “candid counsel” to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, urging him to reconsider his approach to achieving political objectives.
In a detailed commentary, Omokri noted that Kanu’s attempts at courtroom bravado – including efforts to intimidate Justice James Omotosho and prosecutors – ultimately “backfired.” Quoting Albert Einstein, Omokri reminded the jailed Biafran activist that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Omokri suggested that Kanu and IPOB might benefit from a strategic pivot, moving away from violence and public confrontations, and instead embracing political engagement. “Instead of violence, braggadocio, and insulting everyone who disagrees with them 100%, persons like Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB could study the Sinn Féin model of Northern Ireland,” Omokri wrote.
He advised Kanu to transform his popularity in the Southeast into political capital: publicly disavow violence, form a political party, draft a manifesto, register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and seek governance through democratic means.
Omokri drew comparisons with global examples of former militant figures who transitioned into politics, highlighting Ahmed al-Sharaa’s journey from al-Qaeda commander to a political leader, and Sinn Féin’s rapid political gains in Northern Ireland after decades of armed struggle. He also cited Mozambique’s FRELIMO as a model of long-term political transformation following armed resistance.
“This prison sentence could be a blessing in disguise if Kanu uses it to reflect on the new environment he finds himself in,” Omokri noted. “See this setback as Providence drawing back the bow that holds your arrow. Nothing defeats a setback like a step forward. But for this to work, you must abandon violence.”
Omokri concluded with his trademark boldness: “Oya, you may now insult!”
Reno Omokri, known for his activism, commentary, and authorship, is no stranger to controversy. He has been recognized as Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year (2019) and Business Insider Influencer of the Year (2022), and was ranked the 21st most talked-about person in Africa in 2024.
