Former presidential aide and bestselling author, Reno Omokri, has explained why he would no longer promote Aba-made shoes despite his deep admiration for the Igbo people of Nigeria.

In a statement shared on his official X handle, Omokri recounted how his sincere effort to support locally made products turned into one of the most humiliating experiences of his life.

According to him, “I have taken a vow NEVER to promote any merchandise of Igbo origin, except if I am in a public office and have to do it as part of my duties. The reason is that I have NEVER been as insulted as the day I wore Aba-made shoes to promote that industry.”

Omokri lamented that it was ironically people of Igbo origin who insulted him for wearing the shoes, despite his genuine patriotism. He noted that the insults trended for three days and even made the front pages of two national newspapers, a development he described as damaging to his #GrowNairaBuyNaija campaign.

“The funny thing is that it was people of Igbo origin who were insulting me… Such a thing is not suitable for my mental health. I would rather wear a foreign shoe than an Aba-made shoe, not because I do not love Ndi’Igbo. I do,” he said.

The human rights activist further pointed out that during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, he consistently promoted the Borno cap even while opposing Buhari politically, and Northerners appreciated his efforts.

Highlighting his long-standing contributions to Ndi’Igbo, Omokri said:

He fought General Buhari’s government because he felt the region was unfairly treated.

His charitable contributions have benefitted Igbos more than his own Itsekiri kinsmen.


However, he expressed disappointment that some people lack “institutional memory” of good deeds, noting that they only value what is done for them in the present.

“For my mental health, I believe there are better-suited persons than myself to promote Aba-made shoes. I wish Aba shoemakers well, and as God sees my heart, I tried to help them without seeking any benefit. But some of our people are not the easiest to deal with, and I have to be mentally stable for my family and country,” he concluded.

Omokri, who describes himself as a “Gospeller, Deep Thinker, #TableShaker, and Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents,” reiterated that his decision was not borne out of hatred for Ndi’Igbo, but out of self-preservation.