[TRENDING] ‘He will divide Nigeria,’ Wike reacts as Peter Obi, supporters reject new national anthem

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his alleged refusal to stand during the national anthem at a party gathering in Lagos.

Wike questioned Obi’s commitment to Nigeria, arguing that anyone seeking to lead the country should respect its national symbols.

The minister made the remarks on Friday at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State. The event, organised by the Rainbow Coalition, was aimed at mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 elections.

His comments followed a video that went viral after an NDC gathering in Lagos on Thursday. Obi, the party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, and some supporters were reportedly seen declining to recite the current national anthem and singing the former anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”, instead.

Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and party supporters, Wike accused Obi of disrespecting the country by remaining seated during the current anthem but standing when the former one was played.

“A whole national anthem of a country is being sung. A man who wants to be President of Nigeria would disobey and sit down. And then not only that, when a different national anthem that is not being used for Nigeria was sung, he stood up.

“In a way, he does not belong to this country. In a way, he has said he does not belong to this country; that if you give him president, he would do a different thing that will divide Nigeria.

“A man who does not believe in Nigeria, someone who derives joy in ridiculing the country by disrespecting its symbolic National Anthem must not be allowed to come near the presidency of our country,” Wike said.

The FCT minister also questioned Obi’s political record, alleging that the former Anambra State governor frequently left political parties during internal disputes rather than working to resolve them.

He further faulted Obi for failing to conduct local government elections throughout his eight-year tenure as governor, describing the action as inconsistent with his stated commitment to the rule of law.

Wike also directed criticism at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

He questioned Amaechi’s performance as Minister of Transportation, particularly the condition of the country’s seaports during his tenure. Wike also alleged that Government Secondary School, Ogu, was demolished under Amaechi’s administration without being reconstructed. He further criticised him over an alleged failure to fulfil a promise to build a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.

Calling on residents of Ogu-Bolo to ignore what he described as “big grammar” from opposition politicians on television, Wike maintained that the Tinubu administration had delivered projects and other benefits to the area.

He cited the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre, which he linked to the appointment of an indigene, Boma Iyaye, to a federal position. He also listed the restoration of local government autonomy, which paved the way for the election of council chairmen, among the administration’s achievements.

Wike urged residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, Kingsley Chinda’s governorship ambition in Rivers State and other APC candidates seeking seats in the National Assembly.

Earlier, the Chairman of Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area, Vincent Nemieboka, said the meeting brought together traditional rulers, Community Development Committee executives, youth leaders, women’s groups and elders.

Nemieboka attributed the council’s support for Wike to projects and political appointments secured for people from the area.

“Considering the volume of things, projects, and appointments you have directed to be implemented in this local government area, we will be glad to welcome you always, support you always, and follow you always,” he said.

The Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, also praised Wike, highlighting ongoing sand-filling projects, the construction of internal roads and the maintenance of the Kira–Ogu-Bolo Road through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Frank said the area had benefited from three major political appointments facilitated through Wike’s office and expressed the community’s appreciation to the minister.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Abeabiari, pledged the community’s support for candidates of the Rainbow Coalition and the APC.

He said residents had named a road at Enelechi Phase 1 and the Sandfield project after the minister.

“Your Excellency, go home and sleep. Without doubt, by noon on Jan. 16, 2027, all candidates will be delivered,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Ogu-Bolo stakeholders, Prof. Lucky Worika commended Wike for attracting federal projects to the area and thanked Tinubu for appointing indigenes to important positions.

He identified the appointees as Boma Iyaye, Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the NDDC; Dame Maureen Tamuno, Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company; and Senator George Sekibo, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Oil and Gas Polytechnic.

Worika said Iyaye’s appointment at the NDDC had helped facilitate 19 ongoing projects and interventions in the local government area.

The projects include the reconstruction of Ogu General Hospital, equipped with a 70kVA solar power station; the Ele/Opu-ama Link Road; the Kira–Bolo Road; low-cost housing estates; scholarship programmes; and free medical missions.

He also recalled projects linked to Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor and Minister of State for Education, including the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Ogu, the Kira Bridge and the elevation of the traditional stools of Ogu and Bolo to first- and second-class status.

While drawing the minister’s attention to challenges confronting riverine communities, particularly access to healthcare, potable water and maritime transportation, Worika reaffirmed the stakeholders’ support for Tinubu’s re-election and Chinda’s governorship bid.