Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has said the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has shown more accountability in the wake of the 2025 UTME technical challenges than some prominent Nigerian politicians and religious leaders.
Omokri made the statement on his official Facebook page following the public apology issued by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, over the system glitch that affected several candidates during the examination.
He commended the Registrar for taking personal responsibility and offering remedial steps to address the issue, describing the move as an uncommon gesture.
“Not only did the Registrar General of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board take full personal responsibility, but he also provided remedial solutions to indemnify those affected by the unfortunate incident,” Omokri stated.
He argued that public figures in Nigeria rarely accept responsibility for errors, using examples from politics and the church. “If you think it is easy, ask yourself this: How many big politicians, pastors, churches, and others in society have made errors and admitted them?” he asked.
Omokri referred to a leaked audio involving former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, where he was heard describing the 2023 general elections as a “religious war.”
“Has he ever admitted to that? We know it was his voice,” Omokri claimed, adding that two years later, Obi had yet to pursue legal action against the media platform that leaked the audio.
He further recalled an interview on Arise TV where Obi reportedly declined to directly answer whether it was his voice on the tape, despite the question being asked multiple times.
Turning to religious leaders, Omokri referenced past statements by Pastor Tunde Bakare of Citadel Global Community Church. He cited an interview Bakare granted to *Punch* newspaper in 2006, where the pastor declared by the “Spirit of God” that certain Nigerian political figures, including Muhammadu Buhari, represented the old political order. Omokri noted that Bakare later became Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 elections, contrary to his earlier declaration. “He later said that he was the anointed ‘sixteenth’ President of Nigeria and that the matter had been settled,” Omokri stated, quoting Bakare as saying: “I make it plain this morning, I let you know it this morning, nothing can change it in the name of Jesus. He (Buhari) is number 15, I am number 16.”
Omokri said Bakare had yet to apologise for his earlier claims, yet continues to critique others.
He also criticised Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, referencing an incident where Enenche urged his congregation to instruct others on who to vote for, including mentioning specific names and images. Omokri described the act as unethical, claiming it breached both the church’s registration status and Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
“By engaging in open and partisan political campaigning while on the pulpit, even to the point of telling people who to vote for, with their photos, Pastor Enenche violated that provision, and the Body of Christ would not tolerate that coming from a prominent Muslim cleric,” Omokri said. He alleged that Enenche’s conduct, if done in countries like the United States or the United Kingdom, could have attracted sanctions, including revocation of preaching licenses and tax exemptions.
Omokri also referenced a statement Enenche made on January 29, 2023, where the pastor criticised an unnamed political candidate, describing them as lacking transparency in key aspects of their background.
Omokri argued that such statements could lead to unrest in Nigeria’s multi-religious society.
He added that, rather than apologise, Enenche pursued legal action against him, which Omokri claimed was dismissed in his favour.
He reiterated that the JAMB registrar’s apology demonstrated a level of courage that is uncommon among public figures in Nigeria. “In light of this, Nigerians should understand that what JAMB did took courage. Courage that is in short supply in Nigeria,” Omokri said.
THE GUARDIAN
