Omokri Defends Tinubu Over Pension Record, Faults Linking President to 89-Year-Old’s Death

Omokri Defends Tinubu Over Pension Record, Faults Linking President to 89-Year-Old’s Death

Former presidential aide and political commentator Reno Omokri has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over its record on pension payments, while criticising attempts to link the President to the death of an 89-year-old woman.

Omokri spoke while mourning the death of Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi, who died on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89.

He argued that the Tinubu administration had made progress in addressing outstanding pension liabilities and ensuring that retirees receive their entitlements more regularly.

Omokri cited his personal experience, saying his mother recently celebrated her 90th birthday and received a video call from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who reportedly asked whether she had been receiving her pension. According to him, she answered in the affirmative.

The former presidential aide said regular pension payments had improved the financial independence of many retirees, allowing them to meet essential needs such as food and medication without relying entirely on their children.

He attributed the development to measures introduced by the Tinubu administration, particularly efforts to settle outstanding pension liabilities.

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“Under His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerians at both the Federal and Local Government levels, including military and paramilitary retirees, have been receiving their upgraded pensions as and when due,” Omokri said.

He maintained that the President inherited rather than created many of the outstanding pension obligations.

According to Omokri, President Tinubu approved a N758 billion Federal Government bond to address outstanding pension liabilities and arrears under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

He said the measure reflected the administration’s commitment to ensuring that retirees who served the country could live with greater dignity after leaving active service.

Omokri also referred to comments attributed to Godwin Abumusi, President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, who reportedly commended the administration over the regular payment of monthly pensions and efforts to address historical pension debts.

Against this background, Omokri criticised claims seeking to associate Tinubu with the death of Amaechi.

He described such claims as unfortunate, particularly because the deceased was 89 years old.

“Thus, I find it most sad that anybody would, in the face of the above facts, accuse the President of being responsible for their mother’s death at 89,” Omokri said.

He also referred to Nigeria’s relatively low average life expectancy, arguing that reaching 89 represented a significant milestone.

“In a country where the average life expectancy is still below 60, though rising, for one to attain the ripe old age of 89 is a thing of joy to be celebrated,” he said.

Despite his criticism of the allegation against Tinubu, Omokri expressed sympathy to Amaechi’s family and described her as a dearly beloved mother.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and for strength for her surviving relatives and friends.

“May God bless the memory of Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi, who passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026, at the age of 89,” he said.

“May God also grant her surviving family and friends the fortitude to bear the loss of a dearly beloved mother.”

Omokri Defends Tinubu Over Pension Record, Faults Linking President to 89-Year-Old’s Death