Reno Omokri, former presidential aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has praised the “good virtues” of the Yoruba people while berating the Northerners.
Describing the Yoruba as “such a cultured and refined people,” Omokri noted that they are “a reflection of class and breeding.”
In a statement posted on his verified X page on Wednesday, Omokri made the remarks while backlashing the North’s approach to criticisms aimed at ex-president Muhammadu Buhari during his tenure.
Omokri noted that “the Yoruba are teaching the rest of us a lesson in tolerance and persuasion” in their defense of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
On the other hand, he condemned the North for being “aggressive” in their reaction to criticisms directed at Buhari.
Omokri, who noted that the North perceived an attack on Buhari as an attack on the entire Arewa race, argued that “for eight years of General Buhari’s misrule, too many of our Northern brothers defended him rather aggressively and would not tolerate any criticism of the then President.”
However, he opined that “when you criticize President Tinubu, his kith and kin from the Southwest take a different approach.”
Extolling their virtues, Omokri noted that “Even when they politically disagree with you, the Yoruba will still kill you with respect.”
Omokri’s statement reads, “Things have changed in Nigeria, only that we are not noticing. The Yoruba are teaching the rest of us a lesson in tolerance and persuasion.
“For eight years of General Buhari’s misrule, too many of our Northern brothers defended him rather aggressively and would not tolerate any criticism of the then President. To attack him was often perceived as attacking Arewa.
“However, when you criticize President Tinubu, his kith and kin from the Southwest take a different approach. You observe more persuasive responses. ‘Sir, it is not true’. ‘Egbon, I won’t agree’. ‘E sir, please don’t talk like that’. ‘ Give Akanbi time. Eight months is too short. (Akanbi is Yoruba for child of destiny).
“Even when they politically disagree with you, the Yoruba will still kill you with respect. Why won’t you love them?
“Such a cultured and refined people. A reflection of class and breeding. They stoop to conquer. Even when they disagree, by and large, they agree to disagree without being disagreeable. If everybody in Nigeria could imbibe their philosophy, Nigeria would be a paradise!”
