Former presidential aide and social media commentator Reno Omokri has sparked controversy after being caught using old campaign photos from 2022 to portray President Bola Tinubu as drawing massive crowds in Kano.
In a Facebook post that has since been deleted, Omokri shared the images with the caption:
“President Tinubu is in Kano pulling Buhari-level crowds, and someone somewhere is boasting that they will remove him in 2027. Keep dreaming!”
The post, which quickly went viral before its removal, claimed that the photos showed the Nigerian president’s latest visit to Kano. However, fact-checkers and online users soon discovered that the images were actually from a previous political engagement in 2023, not from any recent event.
Another Presidential Aide, Bashir Ahmad had posted the same images with the caption:
“And Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not in Kano for the actual presidential campaign rally, he is only here to engage stakeholders, interact with support groups and formally open APC campaign office. #BATKSM2023”
Critics accused Omokri of engaging in political propaganda by recycling old visuals to create a false impression of Tinubu’s current popularity. Several users called him out in the comments, demanding accountability and transparency from public figures who influence political discourse.
Media analysts noted that such tactics are increasingly common in Nigeria’s charged political atmosphere. A Facebook user commented:
“Reusing old photos to exaggerate political support is a classic propaganda move. It is unfortunate because it misleads the public and undermines trust in political communication.”
Although Omokri has not issued any formal statement on why he deleted the post, his actions have reignited conversations about misinformation and the responsibility of influential voices on social media.
The incident serves as yet another reminder for the public to fact-check viral political content, especially as the 2027 elections draw closer.
