Reno Omokri, former presidential aide and political commentator, has launched a manhunt for two social media users who allegedly made death threats against the family of Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate. Omokri announced a ₦3 million reward for information that could lead to the identification of the individuals responsible for the threats, which were posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The first threat was reportedly made by a user with the handle “@olorilAlayiuwa,” who shared a photo of a woman dressed in traditional attire with the caption, “You see this woman? P.O. will bury her with her children.” The message was widely interpreted as a threat against Obi’s wife, Margaret Obi, and their children. The post has since been removed or restricted by the platform. A second threat was also referenced by Omokri, although fewer details are known about it.
Omokri has pledged ₦1.5 million for information identifying the user behind each threat. To ensure transparency, he stated that Reverend Emmanuel Ojeifo Omokugbo of the Catholic Church will oversee the verification of any information and handle the disbursement of the reward. Omokri has also promised to protect the identities of informants.
He said the initiative was personal, recalling past threats made against his own family, including one directed at his then one-year-old daughter. He argued that political disagreements should never escalate into threats or harassment and emphasised the need to build a more respectful political environment.
The initiative has generated mixed reactions online. While many have applauded the move as a step toward accountability for online threats, critics have questioned Omokri’s motives and accused him of selective outrage. Some noted that he did not take similar action when threatened himself. Others suggested that the threats against Obi’s family might have stemmed from earlier online altercations, citing the volatile political atmosphere following the 2023 general elections.
Peter Obi’s presidential run under the Labour Party drew strong support from young Nigerians but also heightened political and ethnic tensions. Omokri, who has frequently criticised Obi and his supporters, known as “Obidients,” has claimed to be a target of sustained online harassment.
Despite the controversy surrounding the initiative, Omokri maintains that his actions are aimed at reducing toxic discourse in Nigeria’s political landscape. He has called on the public to participate in the effort to identify the perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice. As of July 1, 2025, the manhunt remains ongoing.
