The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following his criticism of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over an incident involving the national anthem at a gathering in Lagos.
Wike had accused Obi of disrespecting Nigeria’s national symbols after he allegedly remained seated during the singing of the current national anthem but stood when supporters rendered the former anthem at the event.
The minister made the remarks on Friday at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting organised by the Rainbow Coalition in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State as part of efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
He questioned Obi’s commitment to national unity, arguing that a presidential candidate who disregarded the country’s national symbols could not be trusted with the responsibility of leading Nigeria.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, the spokesperson for the NDC National Campaign Council, Dr Chiogo Ikokwu, challenged Wike’s moral authority to criticise Obi over national unity and political tolerance.
Ikokwu accused the minister of contributing to political divisions in Rivers State, citing his involvement in controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election and his political dealings across the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.
The party described Wike’s criticism as hypocritical, urging him to resolve political disagreements associated with his activities before attempting to judge other politicians.
The NDC also explained that the singing of the old national anthem at Obi’s Lagos gathering was spontaneous and initiated by supporters, stressing that it was neither scripted nor organised by the candidate or his campaign team.
It added that the current national anthem was also rendered at the event, accusing Wike of relying on only part of the incident to question Obi’s patriotism.
The party further accused the minister of diverting attention from the economic challenges facing Nigerians, insisting that the 2027 political debate should focus on the economy and the hardship experienced by citizens under the APC-led government.
