A former Mayor of Blanco, Texas, in the United States, Mike Arnold, has launched a scathing attack on Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as a “pathological liar and hypocrite” who is driven purely by personal ambition rather than the good of the Nigerian people.
Arnold, who is also the founder of Africa Arise International, made the remarks following what he called a disappointing encounter with Omokri during a recent visit to Nigeria. He revealed that he had travelled to the country on a fact-finding mission to assess claims of religious persecution and Christian killings—an investigation initiated at Omokri’s invitation.
However, the former mayor said his experience quickly turned sour, alleging that Omokri manipulated facts, staged events, and used the trip to advance his own public image. Writing on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Arnold accused Omokri of lying about several key issues, including meetings with top government officials that never took place.
According to Arnold, Omokri promised he would facilitate meetings with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and the Sultan of Sokoto, but none of these engagements ever happened. He also accused Omokri of lying about his credentials and associations.
“Reno doesn’t lie like most liars. He lies calm, cool, constant. Up close, he’s reptilian, chilling, soulless — yet so charming,” Arnold wrote.
He recounted how Omokri once flaunted luxury cars on social media, falsely claiming ownership of vehicles that actually belonged to Arnold’s friend. He further alleged that Omokri deceived guests during a previous birthday event by hinting that former President Jonathan would attend, an incident Arnold described as a “shameless PR stunt.”
In his lengthy post, Arnold also accused Omokri of twisting narratives about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. He said he was appalled that Omokri, who had previously spoken against killings in northern Nigeria under former President Muhammadu Buhari, now denies that such atrocities continue under President Tinubu’s administration.
“Under Buhari, Reno called it Christian genocide. Now he calls it a hoax. From prophet to propagandist — he’s flipped on the martyrs he once mourned,” Arnold said.
The American politician alleged that Omokri’s recent defense of the current administration was politically motivated, claiming he was seeking appointment under Tinubu.
Arnold’s outburst culminated in a fiery condemnation:
“Reno Omokri has become Nigeria’s Joseph Goebbels — weaponizing language to sanitize slaughter. If he doesn’t repent, he will go down as a man who gaslit a nation while Christians and innocent Nigerians suffered.”
He concluded by affirming that his mission to Nigeria was solely to uncover the truth about persecution, not to “stand beside Reno.”
“I came to Nigeria to speak the truth. He tried to hijack it. Now I’m here to expose the lie,” he stated.
Arnold’s statements have since generated widespread reactions across social media, with Nigerians sharply divided over his claims against the controversial activist
