Wike: Obi’s anthem action shows he cannot be trusted with Nigeria’s presidency

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the suitability of Peter Obi for Nigeria’s presidency, accusing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate of disrespecting the country’s national symbols.

Wike said Obi’s alleged refusal to stand for the current national anthem demonstrated a lack of commitment to Nigeria, arguing that anyone who disregards the country’s national symbols should not be entrusted with its highest political office.

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

His comments followed a viral video from an NDC town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday, where Obi, the party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, and other supporters reportedly declined to stand for the current national anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, and instead sang the former anthem, ‘Arise, O Compatriots’.

Reacting to the incident, Wike accused Obi of showing disrespect to the country by remaining seated during the current anthem but standing when the former version was played.

“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,” the minister said.

Wike further argued that Obi’s conduct raised questions about his loyalty to Nigeria, alleging that his approach to national symbols suggested he could pursue actions capable of dividing the country if elected president.

Beyond the anthem controversy, the FCT minister also criticised Obi’s political history, accusing him of abandoning political parties whenever internal disagreements arise instead of remaining to resolve the disputes.

He also questioned Obi’s commitment to the rule of law, citing the absence of local government elections during his eight-year tenure as governor of Anambra State.