Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has criticised Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for maintaining silence on the conviction of Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-born Finnish separatist leader.
New Daily Prime earlier reported that 40-year-old Ekpa was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland for terrorism-related offences, aggravated tax fraud, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, and violations of the Lawyers Act. The court also ordered that he remain in custody.
According to the judgment, Ekpa sought to promote the independence of the Biafra region in Nigeria’s South-East through unlawful means between August 2021 and November 2024.
Reacting in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Omokri accused Obi of double standards, recalling that the former Anambra State governor had previously called for the arrest of Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, over his altercation with airline ValueJet.
“With alacrity and gusto, Peter Obi called for the arrest and trial of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, AKA K1 De Ultimate, after his altercation with ValueJet.
“And the same Peter Obi said Nnamdi Kanu’s trial ‘doesn’t make sense.’ He wanted KWAM 1 in prison and Kanu free,” Omokri wrote.
The outspoken critic further argued that Obi would have reacted differently had Ekpa been convicted in Nigeria.
“If Simon Ekpa had been convicted in Nigeria, Peter Obi would have accused President Tinubu of intolerance and victimising him because of his ethnicity.
“Now, he refuses to comment on Simon Ekpa’s conviction in Finland. Maybe he is in mourning!” Omokri added.
