Reno Omokri: Trump, not Tinubu, is reason El-Rufai won’t travel
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has claimed that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s decision to remain in Nigeria is driven by fear of potential prosecution under former U.S. President Donald Trump, rather than any alleged threats from President Bola Tinubu.
El-Rufai recently announced the suspension of his plans to study abroad, accusing Tinubu of plotting to have him arrested.
However, in a post on X, Omokri dismissed this claim, asserting that el-Rufai’s real concern is Trump’s administration’s renewed stance on religious persecution.
“We are waiting for the person who will come and intervene. They will go back in body bags because nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country,” Omokri stated.
According to him, el-Rufai avoided visiting the U.S. throughout Trump’s first term (2016–2020) and is now particularly wary of Trump’s return to power. Omokri highlighted Trump’s recent establishment of a task force on February 6, 2025, aimed at prosecuting individuals involved in religious persecution.
“Just five days after Trump set up this task force, el-Rufai suddenly decided he wouldn’t be traveling abroad anymore. That is no coincidence,” Omokri argued.
He further noted that el-Rufai’s history of alleged divisive rhetoric and human rights violations contributed to his rejection for a ministerial position under Tinubu. The Senate, rather than Tinubu, cited his past “reckless” statements and the bloodshed during his tenure as governor as key reasons for the rejection.
Omokri concluded by stating that el-Rufai’s international troubles have finally caught up with him.
“Nasir el-Rufai’s cup is full. His sins have found him out. The blood of the thousands of Christians and Shiites killed while he reigned as the Butcher of Kaduna has cried out for justice,” he said.
