By Peter Omopo
1st September 2025
Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has criticised Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his silence following the conviction of Nigerian-born Finnish separatist, Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa was last week sentenced to six years in prison by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland for terrorism-related offences, including participation in a terrorist group, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act. The court ordered that he remain in custody.
According to the judgment, Ekpa promoted the cause of a breakaway Biafra state through illegal activities between August 2021 and November 2024.
Reacting in a post on X on Monday, Omokri accused Obi of double standards, recalling that the former Anambra governor once called for the arrest of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, over an 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 ex-presidential aide further alleged that if Ekpa had been convicted in Nigeria, Obi would have accused President Bola Tinubu of ethnic victimisation.
“Now, he refuses to comment on Simon Ekpa’s conviction in Finland. Maybe he is in mourning!,” Omokri added.
