Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has pushed back against claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is 90 years old.
Omokri said a document he described as an FBI record contains Tinubu’s date of birth as March 29, 1952, arguing that the record contradicts the age claim being circulated by Atiku.
Speaking during a media interview hosted by the City Boy Movement, Omokri said the document was transmitted through the United States Embassy in Lagos and addressed to Nigerian authorities.
According to him, the correspondence followed a request dated February 3, 2003, concerning then-Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Omokri said the FBI’s database search at the time found no criminal arrest records, outstanding warrants or wanted status linked to Tinubu.
He further argued that the document is significant because it contains a date of birth for Tinubu, which he said directly challenges claims that the President is 90 years old.
“Notice that the FBI records have the President’s date of birth, which is March 29, 1952,” Omokri said.
Atiku had promised court evidence
The controversy followed a claim by Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), that he possessed evidence indicating that Tinubu was 90 years old.
Atiku reportedly said he was prepared to present the evidence before a court.
Omokri, however, dismissed the claim and described the document he presented during the interview as a vindication of Tinubu.
He also clarified his relationship with Atiku, saying the former vice president was not his principal but remained his friend.
The dispute over Tinubu’s age is the latest development in a broader political confrontation between supporters of the President and opposition figures ahead of Nigeria’s political battles.
While Omokri has cited the document in support of his position, the authenticity, context and evidentiary significance of the document would ultimately need to be independently established, particularly if the matter becomes part of formal court proceedings.
