Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned Peter Obi’s suitability for Nigeria’s presidency following allegations that the former Anambra State governor refused to stand during the national anthem at a political gathering.
Wike made the remarks on Friday at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, organised by the Rainbow Coalition to canvass support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
His comments followed a viral video of Thursday’s Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) meeting in Lagos, where Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, alongside its Lagos governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, and other supporters, reportedly declined to sing the current national anthem but stood up when the former anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, was played.
Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and party supporters, Wike described the alleged action as disrespectful to Nigeria’s national identity, arguing that anyone seeking to lead the country should respect its national symbols.
“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 said.
Wike added that Obi’s alleged conduct raised questions about his commitment to 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 said.
The FCT minister also faulted Obi’s political history, accusing him of abandoning political parties whenever disagreements arose instead of resolving internal disputes.
He further criticised the former Anambra governor for allegedly failing to conduct local government elections throughout his eight-year administration, describing the action as inconsistent with his advocacy for the rule of law.
Wike extended his criticism to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, questioning their records in public office.
He particularly cited the condition of Nigeria’s seaports during Amaechi’s tenure as Minister of Transportation, the demolition of Government Secondary School, Ogu, without its subsequent reconstruction, and an alleged failure to fulfil a promise to build a 1,000-bed specialist hospital.
The minister urged residents of Ogu-Bolo to look beyond what he described as opposition politicians’ political rhetoric, insisting that Tinubu’s administration had delivered projects and other benefits to the area.
He listed the construction of the Ogu-Bolo Civic Centre and the appointment of indigenes to federal positions among the benefits secured for the community. He also credited the restoration of local government autonomy with enabling the election of council chairmen.
Wike called on the residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, Kingsley Chinda’s governorship ambition in Rivers State and APC candidates contesting National Assembly seats.
Earlier, the Ogu-Bolo Local Government Chairman, Vincent Nemieboka, said the meeting attracted traditional rulers, Community Development Committee executives, youth leaders, women groups and elders.
Nemieboka attributed the community’s support for Wike to projects and political appointments facilitated for indigenes of the area.
Similarly, the Amanyanabo of Bolo, King Acheseinimie Frank, highlighted ongoing sand-filling projects, internal road construction and the maintenance of the Kira-Ogu-Bolo Road through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He also said the area had secured three major political appointments through Wike’s influence.
The Chairman of the Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Lawrence Abeabiari, pledged that the electorate would support candidates of the Rainbow Coalition and APC in the 2027 elections.
Abeabiari further disclosed that the community had named a road at Enelechi Phase 1 and the Sandfield project after the minister.
He assured Wike of the community’s support, saying, “Your Excellency, go home and sleep. Without doubt, by noon on Jan. 16, 2027, all candidates will be delivered.”
Also speaking, a stakeholder representing Ogu-Bolo, Professor Lucky Worika, commended Wike for attracting federal projects and appointments to the area.
Worika named the appointees as Boma Iyaye, Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the NDDC; Maureen Tamuno, Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company; and George Sekibo, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Oil and Gas Polytechnic.
He said Iyaye’s appointment had helped attract 19 ongoing interventions to the local government area, including the reconstruction of Ogu General Hospital with a 70kVA solar power station, the Ele/Opu-ama Link Road, Kira-Bolo Road, low-cost housing estates, scholarship programmes and free medical missions.
Worika also recalled some of Wike’s projects during his tenure as Rivers State governor and Minister of State for Education, including the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Ogu, construction of Kira Bridge and the elevation of the traditional stools of Ogu and Bolo to first- and second-class status.
However, he drew attention to challenges facing riverine communities, particularly limited access to healthcare, potable water and maritime transportation.
He reaffirmed the stakeholders’ support for Tinubu’s re-election and Chinda’s governorship ambition in 2027.
(NAN)
