Question: “Reno, What Puts Food On Your Table?” Answer: “Fighting Peter Obi Everyday On Social Media Space” -By Isaac Asabor

In every democratic setting, dissent and criticism are vital ingredients of political discourse. They form the bedrock of accountability, transparency, and public engagement. However, when criticism morphs into an obsessive personal campaign, often bordering on misinformation, vendetta, and character assassination, the integrity of that discourse becomes polluted. Such has become the unfortunate hallmark of Reno Omokri’s incessant tirades against Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

It is no longer news that Reno Omokri, former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has carved out a controversial niche for himself on social media. What remains striking, however, is the disturbing consistency with which he launches both subtle jabs and overt attacks against Peter Obi. This obsessive fixation has reached an alarming crescendo, prompting many politically aware Nigerians to begin questioning what exactly Omokri does for a living. Indeed, not a few Nigerians have been left wondering: What puts food on Reno’s table?

Interestingly, during a recent interview on Arise TV, Omokri addressed the curiosity surrounding his source of income. He openly admitted that he earns a living solely as a content creator, stating, “My social media is the only way I earn a living; I make up to $1,000.” If his claim is anything to go by, then one could reasonably conclude that Peter Obi, by virtue of being a politician and a presidential hopeful for 2027, is indirectly financing Omokri’s lifestyle.

From a logical standpoint, it is undeniable that nearly 99.99% of Omokri’s social media content revolves around Peter Obi. This relentless focus raises eyebrows and casts a shadow of shame over what appears to be a parasitic form of political commentary. When criticism becomes a full-time hustle, one must ask: is it still activism, or simply opportunism?

It is important to clarify that constructive criticism is healthy in a democracy. But in Reno’s case, it has long since stopped being constructive. A quick scroll through his X (formerly Twitter) timeline reveals a man hell-bent on smearing Peter Obi at every given opportunity, regardless of whether Obi makes a political statement, attends an event, or even remains silent. It appears that Reno is always on standby to twist, misrepresent, or downright fabricate narratives that place Obi in a bad light.

Ironically, for a man who claims to be a human rights advocate and devout Christian, one would expect a more balanced and objective tone in his engagements. Instead, what we are often served are tweets and videos laden with sarcasm, gaslighting, deflection, and vitriol, all directed at one man: Peter Obi.

Is Peter Obi above criticism? Absolutely not. But when one individual makes it a duty to consistently and obsessively attack another person over everything and nothing, then it is no longer about public engagement, it becomes a personal enterprise. And like most enterprises, it is safe to assume that the goal is profit.

Make no mistake, social media is big business. With high engagement and increased visibility come brand endorsements, speaking engagements, media appearances, and financial benefits. The more controversial a figure becomes, the more attention they attract. And attention, especially in today’s attention economy, translates to money. Reno seems to have mastered this game.

His daily sparring with Obidients, the devoted supporters of Peter Obi, has become a goldmine. It keeps his name trending, ensures engagement with his posts, and increases his relevance in the social media space. He claims to be doing it for “Nigeria’s unity” or “to tell the truth,” but those narratives are hard to swallow when they are steeped in double standards.

For instance, Reno conveniently overlooks or downplays the failures of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the very party under which he once served. He has also been remarkably silent or timid in his criticisms of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose government continues to choke Nigerians economically and politically. But when it comes to Peter Obi, he suddenly becomes a fierce activist.

This glaring double standard has not gone unnoticed by Nigerians. Many have questioned why Reno never takes the same energy to confront the APC-led federal government, which is currently presiding over economic hardship, insecurity, hunger, and skyrocketing inflation. Why is Peter Obi, who does not hold any public office, the sole recipient of Reno’s rage?

Reno preaches love, humility, and truth on Sundays and dishes out bile and propaganda from Monday to Saturday. He calls for peace in Nigeria but sows division in the same breath. His contradictions are not just loud; they are deafening.

He criticizes Obi’s supporters for being “rude” and “toxic,” yet his own posts are often laced with insults, mockery, and gaslighting. He berates Obidients for “hero-worshipping” Obi but fails to recognize that he himself is guilty of idolizing political relics who contributed nothing significant to the current democratic dispensation.

Worse still, he attempts to delegitimize the aspirations of Nigerian youths who saw in Peter Obi a rare opportunity for leadership based on integrity, prudence, and accountability. Instead of supporting the conversation around youth political awakening, Reno would rather belittle it by describing Obi as “unelectable” or “a social media creation.”

This is the same Peter Obi whose prudent governance in Anambra State, modest personal lifestyle, and transparent public engagement earned him national and international respect. Whether one supports his politics or not, the truth is, Peter Obi has inspired a generation to rethink what leadership should look like in Nigeria.

One cannot help but wonder if Reno’s obsession with Obi is a strategic distraction. It is possible that, by keeping Obi and his supporters in a constant state of defense, he distracts them from more productive political organizing. This tactic is as old as politics itself: divide the opposition, and conquer the electorate.

His constant criticisms also fuel tribal narratives that seek to pitch ethnic groups against each other, particularly Igbos against other Nigerians, by painting Obi’s support base as one-dimensional or ethnically driven. This is dangerous and irresponsible.

Nigeria is too fragile and too divided to survive more incitement. Anyone who wields influence in the public sphere must understand the weight of their words. Reno, unfortunately, seems to weaponize his words for clout, not conscience.

The masses may be hungry, but they are not stupid. Nigerians can see through the smokescreen. The persistent targeting of Peter Obi has become a source of irritation, even among those who are not staunch Obidients. They see it for what it is: a desperate attempt to remain relevant in a space that has outgrown his brand of political punditry.

Peter Obi may not be a saint, no politician is, but at least he offers a glimpse of hope in a country where hopelessness is fast becoming a norm. His ideas, his humility, and his transparency are refreshing in the midst of a decaying political class. And that is why he continues to enjoy the admiration of millions, despite Reno’s best efforts to diminish him.

Reno Omokri must be told, without mincing words, that the real enemies of Nigeria are not those who seek to reform its broken systems. The real enemies are those who loot its treasury, suppress dissent, encourage division, and exploit the masses. If he genuinely cares about Nigeria, his energy should be redirected toward holding the government accountable, not tearing down those who dare to offer an alternative.

If fighting Peter Obi every day is what puts food on Reno’s table, then we must question the moral foundation of that diet. Because whatever feeds on lies, obsession, and vendetta is bound to poison the nation’s future.

Reno, leave Peter Obi alone and find something more meaningful to do with your platform. Nigeria is bleeding. Help stop the bleeding, not the only man trying to heal the wound.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing, it is germane to opine that from the way Reno Omokri has turned his daily fixation on Peter Obi into a routine spectacle across social media platforms that it is no surprise that if you ask him, “Reno, what puts food on your table?” the honest answer should be, “Fighting Peter Obi every day on social media space.” At this point, his identity seems less that of a political commentator and more of a full-time content creator whose livelihood thrives on stirring controversy, trolling Obi supporters, and relentlessly fueling online debates just to stay relevant and rake in clicks, engagement, and possible payouts from the traffic his provocations generate.