Leadnaija
Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has disclosed that he turned down an offer from Atiku Abubakar, the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to serve as his spokesperson during the election.
Omokri, who served as a media adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, made the revelation during an interview, where he spoke about his behind-the-scenes involvement in Atiku’s campaign.
“Atiku wanted me to be his spokesperson. I said no — I’m not going to be a spokesperson for a sitting president and then be a spokesperson for a presidential candidate,” Omokri stated.
He, however, revealed that while he declined the official role, he played a key part in assembling Atiku’s media team.
“But I hired his media team. I hired Segun Showunmi; I interviewed him and set his salary.”
Omokri’s comments offer a rare insight into the internal workings of the PDP’s 2019 campaign, as well as his influence on the media architecture of the party at the time.
The remarks also come amid renewed political debates and shifting alliances ahead of the 2027 general election.
Segun Showunmi eventually served as the official spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 presidential campaign.
