Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has stated that the alleged refusal of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi to stand for Nigeria’s national anthem, while rising for a different anthem at a recent gathering in Lagos, demonstrates lawlessness and an intent to divide the country.
Wike made the remarks while addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and party faithful at a stakeholders’ town hall in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The event was organized under the banner of the Rainbow Coalition to mobilize grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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 the president, he would do a different thing that will divide Nigeria,” Wike stated
The FCT minister argued that someone who disregards national symbols should not be entrusted with the nation’s highest office, warning that electing Obi could undermine national unity.
“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,” he added.
