Omokri's reaction came in a public response addressed to Larry Madowo, who had questioned whether the Nigerian Police could escort protesters in the same manner as South African authorities without resorting to the use of firearms.
In his response, Omokri argued that the comparison was flawed, stating that the situations in the two countries were fundamentally different.
"First of all, I cannot speak for the other nations you mentioned, but the Nigerian Police are well reputed for not using lethal force on peaceful protesters," he wrote.
To support his position, Omokri cited the #ResumeorResign protests against former President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that despite lasting several days and directly opposing a sitting president, no protesters were reportedly killed, injured, or maimed during the demonstrations.
Omokri further argued that the South African protest under discussion differed significantly because it was not directed at the government or its agencies. Instead, he described it as a protest by South African citizens against foreigners, particularly those alleged to be illegal immigrants.
According to him, comparing how South African police handled such a demonstration with the response of security agencies to anti-government protests in other countries amounted to "a false equivalent."
"If you are going to make comparisons, then let them be reasonable juxtapositions. To do otherwise is to abuse your privileged media position," he stated.
The former presidential aide also referenced the "March and March" protests in South Africa, saying the demonstrations were widely viewed by many South Africans as a patriotic movement.
He argued that, under such circumstances, it would be unreasonable to expect law enforcement officers to apply lethal force against protesters who were not perceived as posing a threat to the government, its institutions, or South African citizens.
Omokri concluded his message by urging Madowo, a CNN journalist, to be more balanced in his reporting, saying greater responsibility was expected of international journalists when discussing developing countries.
"You are a CNN journalist. Perhaps more is expected of you than using your position to misrepresent developing nations, including your own as a Kenyan," he wrote before ending the message with a note of goodwill.
The exchange has since generated debate on social media, with users expressing differing opinions over Omokri's assessment of protest policing in Nigeria and the broader comparison with South Africa.
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