Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, of displaying lawlessness and attempting to divide the country over his conduct during the recitation of the national anthem.
Wike argued that Obi’s reported refusal to stand for the national anthem while participating in the recitation of another version raised questions about his commitment to national unity and respect for the country’s institutions.
The minister made the remarks on Friday at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His criticism followed Thursday’s NDC town hall meeting in Lagos, where Obi, the party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, and other supporters declined to participate in the recitation of the current national anthem, opting instead for the former version, ‘Arise, O Compatriots’.
A video of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing the event moderator switching to the former anthem after attendees declined to sing the current version, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’.
According to reports by TheCable and PUNCH on Friday, the incident attracted criticism from several political figures, including Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, who questioned Obi’s conduct and argued that national symbols should remain above partisan politics.
Wike also questioned Obi’s political record, accusing him of repeatedly abandoning political parties whenever internal disagreements arise instead of remaining within the parties to resolve their differences.
The FCT minister further faulted the former Anambra State governor over his failure to conduct local government elections throughout his eight-year tenure, describing it as inconsistent with his professed commitment to the rule of law.
Turning to the opposition coalition involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Wike challenged them to account for their records in public office rather than criticise the Tinubu administration.
He particularly questioned Amaechi’s performance as Minister of Transportation, citing what he described as the poor condition of seaports during his tenure.
Wike also accused the former Rivers State administration of demolishing Government Secondary School, Ogu, without rebuilding it, while failing to fulfil a promise to construct a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.
The minister urged residents to disregard what he described as the opposition’s “big grammar” on television, insisting that the Tinubu administration had delivered visible projects and development to their communities.
He cited the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre, facilitated through the appointment of an indigene, Boma Iyaye, into a federal position, as one of the benefits of the current political arrangement.
Wike also highlighted the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State as evidence of progress in grassroots democratic governance.
He urged the people to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, alongside the Rainbow Coalition’s preferred candidates in the state, including Kingsley Chinda for governor and APC candidates seeking seats in the National Assembly.
The minister called on residents to demonstrate their support through their votes in the 2027 general elections.
