Ex-US Mayor Mike Arnold Brands Reno Omokri a “Stooge,” Accuses Him of Deceit
In a blistering public rebuke, Mike Arnold, former mayor of Blanco, Texas, has accused Reno Omokri of being a “stooge,” alleging the Nigerian commentator and former presidential aide habitually lies, manipulates narratives, and uses humanitarian issues for personal gain.
What Arnold Says
Arnold claims that over several interactions, both in Nigeria and abroad, he has seen what he describes as Omokri’s “cold, calculating, and manipulative” behaviour.
According to Arnold, Omokri once posted a video showing two luxury cars, which he claimed were his, but Arnold says the cars actually belong to a friend of his. He labels the claim a “total fabrication.”
He further accused Omokri of falsely inflating his influence by claiming he had arranged high-level meetings with prominent Nigerian figures, meetings that Arnold says never happened.
On the core issue of religious persecution, Arnold rejects Omokri’s position, accusing him of downplaying or denying what Arnold calls a “calculated genocide” against Christians in Nigeria. He describes Omokri’s narrative as “Gaslighting a nation.”
Strong Language, “Pathological Liar,” “Soulless”
In a post shared on the social-media platform X (formerly Twitter), Arnold was explicit and unreserved, calling Omokri a “pathological, habitual, calculating, self-serving liar.”
He also compared him to a propagandist (invoking the historical figure often associated with propaganda), arguing that Omokri “whitewashes” violence in Nigeria while seeking political relevance.
Arnold further suggested that Omokri’s return to public attention, including calls for international interventions and lobbying disguised as humanitarian advocacy, is motivated by ambition rather than genuine concern.
Background: What Sparked the Fallout
The confrontation relates to a broader dispute over the state of religious violence and security in Nigeria. Arnold, who leads the advocacy group Africa Arise International, has repeatedly argued that killings of Christians in parts of Nigeria amount to a genocide, a claim he says is backed by years of fieldwork and documentation.
Omokri, on the other hand, has publicly rejected those claims, calling them exaggerated and politically motivated. That rejection appears to have triggered Arnold’s latest wave of condemnation.
Reaction and Debate
The feud has stirred debate among Nigerians and international observers, re-igniting conversations about truth, propaganda, and accountability in coverage of Nigeria’s security challenges. Critics of Arnold say his remarks are harsh but emphasise the need for verification and evidence, while supporters argue that Arnold’s allegations expose a disturbing trend: using humanitarian issues for self-promotion and political manoeuvring.
As of now, Omokri has not issued a detailed public refutation of all Arnold’s allegations. But the exchange underscores growing tensions around narratives of violence, faith, and media credibility in Nigeria, making this more than a personal spat, but part of a broader national conversation.