Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of promoting separatist sentiments by allegedly singing an outlawed anthem instead of Nigeria’s legally recognised national anthem.
Keyamo made the allegation in a post on X on Saturday, November 14, while responding to criticism of the campaign song On Your Mandate at events attended by President Bola Tinubu.
He said the song honoured Tinubu and had not replaced the national anthem at official gatherings. According to Keyamo, the anthem is first played to recognise the country’s national symbols, after which the President may be serenaded with the campaign song.
“Nobody stops Peter Obi from adopting a song, even the old anthem, as his own song. But it must be sung either before or AFTER the legally recognised National Anthem is given its due RECOGNITION,” he said.
Keyamo also cited presidential protocol, saying the Police Band sometimes plays instrumental music to announce the President’s arrival or before he addresses an audience. He said the band may play On Your Mandate after the national anthem.
He noted that several states have their own anthems, which are traditionally sung after the national anthem. However, he described the NDC’s alleged use of an outlawed anthem in its place as a threat to national unity.
“Singing an outlawed anthem IN PLACE of a legally approved NATIONAL ANTHEM by the NDC is surely an expression of a desire to have a separate country, and that is an INGREDIENT OF A SECESSIONIST GROUP.”
Keyamo’s comments come amid political disputes over the use of national symbols and campaign songs at gatherings.