Reno Omokri Defends Tinubu’s Appointment of Son-in-law, Highlights Historical Precedents
Renowned social commentator Reno Omokri has come to the defense of President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointment of his son-in-law, Oladimeji Ojo, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
The appointment, part of the reconstitution of executive management teams under the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, has sparked mixed reactions, particularly on social media, with some Nigerians expressing concerns about nepotism in the country’s leadership.
Ojo, a former member of the House of Representatives and the husband of Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the President’s daughter, was among those approved by the President for key roles in housing and urban development.
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While critics argue that the move implies Nigeria is becoming a family business, Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, counters this perspective. In a statement, he emphasized that there is nothing inherently wrong with the appointment as long as the appointee is qualified for the position and can effectively carry out the assigned duties.
According to Omokri, nepotism only arises when a pattern is established, granting undue advantages to relatives or friends over more qualified candidates.
Drawing parallels to historical examples, he pointed out that President John F. Kennedy appointed his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as his Attorney General and trusted aide. Similarly, President Donald Trump nominated his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a Senior Advisor and head of the American Office of Innovation.
Omokri highlighted that ten other American Presidents, besides Trump and Kennedy, had also appointed family members to executive positions in the U.S. Federal Government. He argued that a single incident does not constitute a pattern and urged a fair evaluation of qualifications rather than dismissing the appointment solely based on familial ties.
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As the debate surrounding the appointment continues, it remains to be seen whether the appointee, Oladimeji Ojo, can effectively carry out his responsibilities and address the concerns raised by some segments of the Nigerian populace.
