“It’s because of World Cup”: Ambassador-designate Reno Omokri speaks on why Mexico is yet to accept him

Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed reports claiming that the Mexican government rejected his diplomatic appointment, attributing the delay in his assumption of duty to ongoing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by Mexico and the United States.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Omokri described the reports as baseless opposition propaganda, insisting that diplomatic processes have been slowed by Mexico’s heavy involvement in World Cup-related activities.

According to him, Mexico is currently focused on fulfilling its responsibilities as one of the host nations of the global football tournament, which has affected the reception and processing of foreign envoys.

“Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all. You should understand that Mexico is currently hosting the World Cup alongside the United States of America, and all their focus is on that,” Omokri stated.

The former presidential aide explained that he is not the only ambassador-designate yet to resume at his assigned post, noting that several of his colleagues are experiencing similar delays.

> “Most of us ambassadors have not resumed. So, I’m not the only one. A lot of my colleagues are in my situation, but it’s okay. These things happen,” he said.

Omokri maintained that the narrative of his alleged rejection was politically motivated and disconnected from reality.

> “The opposition will always say things like I have been rejected. We do not work on the basis of the opposition. We work on the basis of reality,” he added.

He further expressed confidence that countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Nigeria would, in due course, receive the country’s accredited representatives.

Commenting on the 2027 presidential election, Omokri also argued that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political consistency remains one of his greatest strengths, dismissing claims that opposition figures are better positioned to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, Tinubu’s stable political career contrasts sharply with politicians who frequently switch party affiliations.

“How can you say a man who has been in three political parties in six months is going to defeat a president who has been stable politically since 1989?” he queried.

Omokri concluded that President Tinubu’s experience, political structure, and consistency place him in a strong position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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