Nigeria’s pro-Tinubu columnist, known for writing on various national issues in Nigeria including frequent attacks on the image of former presidential candidate Peter Obi has come under fire from fans following a post he made on his Facebook page on April 27, 2025 (local time) against Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso junta leader.
“How can you believe that he has paid off all of Burkina Faso’s debt and is now building free houses for Burkinabe people? Those are lies. Burkina Faso’s debt has actually increased, and the country’s debt is estimated at 65% of its GDP, which is far higher than Nigeria and Ghana,” Reno argued, claiming that Burkina Faso owes foreign lenders approximately $6 billion USD and risks defaulting on its debts.
He further stated:
“Rebels control vast swathes of the country. And those videos you see of America trying to invade Burkina Faso are lies. They show you a photo of an American General and claim he said he wants to invade Burkina Faso, and you just suspend your rational mind and believe it?
Where did the American General say so? Which media carried it? Where is the video other than the propaganda videos of a photograph and a voice-over claiming that America wants to invade Burkina Faso?”
To many of his fans, this was seen as an attempt to destroy the reputation of the much-admired youngest African leader, whom many regard as a messiah not only for Burkina Faso but for the entire continent.
“The problem of a black man is another black man. Appreciate him for the great things he has done,” says Lafon Favour, a Cameroonian and fan of President Traore.
Another commenter listed Ibrahim Traore’s achievements over his two years in power:
“…He reduced the salaries of ministers by 30% and increased those of civil servants by 50%… He created two tomato processing plants, the first in the country, and ended the export of Burkinabe raw gold to Europe…” states Jessica Fork in a long list of achievements.
To Abdullahi Ahmodu, “As far as the person people are hailing is not Tinubu, Reno must look for bad things about the person,” while another fan feels Reno “always supports bad things while hating good things.”
These were just a few of the moderate reactions recorded by The Astute Ink from the more than 7,600 comments at the time of publication, with over 6,000 comments criticizing Reno’s opinion.
Many commenting on his post believe that Reno is using an imperialist tone to target a young leader who, although he came to power through a coup, has done so much within two years giving his country a reputation far better than that under democratically elected leaders.
To many Pan-Africanists and supporters of Ibrahim Traoré, he is seen as the resurrected Thomas Sankara.