By Passman Akpos
Reno Omokri has fired a blistering response at supporters of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, declaring that their frustrations should be directed at Kanu’s namesake, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, rather than the Nigerian state.
In a lengthy statement shared on his social platforms, the former presidential aide said he had been inundated by Kanu’s followers demanding that he justify the prosecution of their leader and insisting that agitation for secession is not illegal. Omokri said while peaceful advocacy is permissible, violent separatism is not — citing global examples such as the banned Basque group, ETA, and the lawful Scottish independence movement.
But the heart of Omokri’s argument is historical: that the foundation of Nigeria’s anti-secession legal framework was laid not by contemporary leaders but by the very political ancestors of today’s agitators — particularly Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Omokri traced a detailed constitutional history, asserting that several attempts by Chief Obafemi Awolowo to insert a secession clause into Nigeria’s pre-independence constitution were repeatedly blocked by Eastern Region politicians led by Azikiwe.
According to him, Awolowo’s push for the clause between 1953 and 1954 collapsed after Azikiwe mobilised opposition against it, prompting its eventual replacement with Section 86 — a provision declaring unilateral secession treasonable.
Omokri referenced archival records, including Azikiwe’s 1975 essay re-affirming his stance, as well as a May 12, 1953 speech in which Zik allegedly warned the Northern Region against attempting to leave Nigeria, even threatening economic blockade.
He also argued that the same anti-secession provision prevented the Niger Delta from breaking away in 1966, when Isaac Adaka Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic — a move that Eastern Region authorities, including Military Governor Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, reportedly asked the Federal Government to suppress.
Omokri added that Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi further sealed the anti-fragmentation structure by abolishing regionalism through the Unification Decree of May 1966.
“The current structure of Nigeria is, to a large extent, the handiwork of two individuals,” he wrote. “Nnamdi Azikiwe and Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi.”
He concluded with a stinging punchline aimed at IPOB supporters:
“So, to the IPOB/Obidient horde asking me these questions, I believe you now know who to blame. One Nnamdi should blame the other Nnamdi!
Omokri signed off with his trademark self-description — Gospeller, Deep Thinker, Table Shaker, and bestselling author — reinforcing his reputation for provocative political commentary.
