Publisher Dele Momodu and a host of others have intervened in the squabble between Reno Omokri, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and supporters of Nnamdi Kanu.
Mr Kanu’s supporters had rained insults on Mr Omokri on social media over his comments on the IPOB leader’s past statements about the Yoruba.
Kanu was recently arrested and repatriated to Nigeria after jumping bail in 2017.
Omokri then reminisced on Kanu’s comments about the Yoruba, saying that Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho would not say such things about the Igbo.
Speaking on the attacks he has faced from Kanu’s supporters, Omokri said in an Instagram post on Thursday, “I find it very difficult to understand Nnamdi Kanu’s followers. Many of them have heard the things Mr. Kanu has said about Yorubas, and ethnic minorities. Yet, they get upset and hurl insults and invectives at anyone who points out that those are very imprudent things to say to people who would have otherwise been sympathetic to their cause.”
He further said, “But I ask Nnamdi Kanu’s followers what they would do if, for example, Sunday Igboho, should say such things about Igbos, as Nnamdi Kanu has said about others.
“What kind of child supports a neighbour that says his parents are unprintable names that I cannot even write here?”
However, the former presidential aide said in another Instagram post on Friday that he was sheathing his sword after being prevailed upon by people he respects.
He wrote, “On the counsel of people I respect, I have chosen to put the matter of some uncomplimentary things I recently heard behind me. I was rather upset about what I heard, however, I now realise that we all are human and no one is perfect.
“Nnamdi Kanu is indeed a great human being, and I have just been made aware that even before his rearrest, he had moved on from those comments and no longer held such views about other ethnicities. All of us have agreed to work together for his release. May God bless him. Thank you all for the understanding.”
Although Omokri did not reveal those who convinced him to let go of the matter, Mr Momodu tweeted to confirm he was part of them.
“I saw the altercations between @renoomokri & supporters of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu & feel very disturbed about the unnecessary distractions. I have reached out to RENO for a total ceasefire because there are bigger issues at stake. I’m glad he has agreed to drop the matter… Thank you,” he tweeted on Friday.
