The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, of disrespecting Nigeria’s national symbols and undermining national unity over his alleged refusal to stand for the national anthem at a public event.
Wike made the allegation on Friday during 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.
He claimed that Obi’s decision to remain seated while the Nigerian national anthem was being played, but stand when an alternative anthem was played, raised questions about his commitment to the country.
According to Wike, a presidential aspirant who disregards national symbols cannot be trusted to protect the unity of the country.
He said, “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.”
The minister further accused Obi of abandoning political parties whenever disagreements arose, rather than remaining to resolve internal disputes.
He also criticised the former Anambra governor over his failure to conduct local government elections during his eight-year tenure, describing it as inconsistent with his advocacy for the rule of law.
Wike extended his criticism to the opposition coalition involving former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, questioning their records in public office.
He faulted Amaechi’s performance as Minister of Transportation, citing the condition of seaports during his tenure. He also accused the former Rivers governor of demolishing Government Secondary School, Ogu, without rebuilding it and failing to fulfil a promise to construct a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.
The FCT minister urged residents to disregard what he described as the opposition’s television rhetoric, insisting that the Tinubu administration had delivered development projects and political appointments to Ogu-Bolo.
He cited the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre, the conduct of local government elections and appointments secured for indigenes as evidence of the administration’s interventions.
Earlier, the council chairman, Vincent Nemieboka, said the community’s support for Wike was based on projects executed in the area and appointments secured for its indigenes.
The Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, also commended the minister, citing sand-filling projects, internal road construction and work on the Kira-Ogu-Bolo Road.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Lawrence Abeabiari, pledged the traditional institution’s support for the Rainbow Coalition and its candidates.
Speaking on behalf of Ogu-Bolo stakeholders, Professor Lucky Worika listed several projects and interventions credited to appointments facilitated through Wike’s office.
They include the reconstruction of Ogu General Hospital, installation of a 70kVA solar power station, construction of the Ele/Opu-ama Link Road and Kira-Bolo Road, internal roads, streetlights, housing projects, teachers’ quarters, scholarships and youth skills acquisition programmes.
Worika also cited the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Ogu, Kira Bridge, Ogu-Eteo and Ogu-Wakama link roads, as well as a landing jetty in Ele community.
He, however, highlighted challenges facing riverine communities, including inadequate healthcare, potable water, electricity and maritime transportation, urging Wike to attract further federal interventions.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their support for Tinubu’s re-election and the political ambitions of Rivers State governorship aspirant O.K. Chinda and other candidates endorsed by the coalition.
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