The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following his description of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as “lawless” over the rendition of Nigeria’s former national anthem at an event in Lagos.
Wike had accused Obi of disrespecting Nigeria’s national symbols and attempting to promote division in the country.
The minister made the remarks 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 2027 re-election campaign and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
He faulted Obi for allegedly remaining seated while the current national anthem was being sung but standing when the former anthem was rendered.
According to Wike, anyone seeking to lead Nigeria must respect its national symbols, adding that Obi’s alleged conduct raised questions about his commitment to national unity.
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.”
Wike further argued that a presidential aspirant who disregarded the country’s national symbols should not be entrusted with the nation’s leadership.
However, the NDC National Campaign Council dismissed the minister’s criticism, accusing him of lacking the moral authority to lecture others on political tolerance, unity and responsible leadership.
The council’s spokesperson, Chiogo Ikokwu, in a statement on Friday, recalled Wike’s involvement in the political crisis in Rivers State and the internal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ikokwu described the minister as an arsonist who causes fires in his backyard but preaches fire safety elsewhere, urging him to address his own political controversies before criticising others.
She said it was ironic that Wike, whose political activities had allegedly contributed to divisions and instability in Rivers State and beyond, was presenting himself as a judge of political conduct.
The NDC spokesperson also referenced the minister’s political manoeuvres across the PDP and APC, as well as the controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State.
On the controversy surrounding the old anthem, Ikokwu explained that its rendition during Obi’s town hall meeting in Lagos was spontaneous and initiated by supporters, rather than being planned or orchestrated by the party or its candidate.
She added that the current national anthem was also sung at the gathering, accusing Wike of attempting to divert public attention from the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.
“If you watched another part of the video, they went on to sing the current national anthem. Minister Wike should stop distracting Nigerians from the gargantuan failures of the government he’s trying very hard to sell,” she said.
Ikokwu maintained that the 2027 election should be centred on issues affecting citizens, particularly the economy and the hardship Nigerians have experienced under the APC-led government.
