News, Politics

From Fierce Critics to Loyal Defenders: Omokri, Bwala and Fani-Kayode’s Political Turnaround on Tinubu

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 8th, 2026.

From Fierce Critics to Loyal Defenders:Omokri, Bwala and Fani-Kayode’s Political Turnaround on Tinubu

In Nigeria’s ever-shifting political environment, alliances often change as circumstances evolve. Few examples illustrate this better than the political repositioning of Reno Omokri, Daniel Bwala, and Femi Fani-Kayode, three prominent figures who once strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but have since emerged as vocal defenders of his administration.

Omokri, a former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, was among the most outspoken critics of Tinubu during the 2023 election period, frequently challenging his candidacy and leadership record. In recent years, however, his public commentary has shifted, with the political commentator now openly supporting several policies and projects linked to the Tinubu administration.

A similar shift has been observed in the case of Daniel Bwala, a lawyer who served as spokesperson for former vice-president Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential campaign. Bwala had previously questioned Tinubu’s leadership capacity and criticised the outcome of the election. He later defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently serves as Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, frequently defending government policies in public discussions.

Former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode has also undergone a notable political transformation. Once known for his harsh criticism of Tinubu, he later aligned with the APC and became one of the president’s most outspoken supporters, praising his leadership and political experience.

The shift by these three figures has sparked debate among political observers. Some view the changes as normal political evolution or reassessment of earlier positions, while critics describe them as examples of opportunistic realignment within Nigeria’s political system.

Analysts say the developments reflect a broader pattern in Nigerian politics where alliances can shift rapidly, often influenced by new political realities, strategic calculations, or proximity to power.